The Adamawa House of Assembly on Monday rejected the nomination of Justice Ishaya Banu, as the substantive Chief Judge of the state.
The House rejected the nomination at plenary after a heated debate.
Banu’s nomination was rejected after the Speaker, Ahmadu Fintiri, put the matter to voice vote.
Lawmakers who supported the judge had urged the assembly to respect the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC), adding that Banu remains the most senior judge in the state judiciary.
Their arguments did not however swayed the majority of the members, who cited Banu’s health conditions and records of service as counting against him.
One of the members Ishaq Bala (PDP-Yola North), said: “We cannot compromise seniority with productivity.”
On the other hand, however, the House approved the appointment of Mahmoud Mohammed as the new Grand Khadi of the State Shariah Court of Appeal.