The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kogi State branch, has urged Governor Yahaya Bello to stay action on Tuesday’s recommendation of the state house of assembly, calling for the removal of the state Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Nasir Ajanah.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged meeting of the executives and elders of the four branches of the association; Lokoja, Idah, Kabba and Okene, on Thursday, in Lokoja.

In the communiqué signed by Dr Michael Obamero and Mohammed Usman, chairman and secretary respectively, they noted that the call was against the backdrop of a subsisting order of the Kogi State High Court, Koton-Karfe, directing the maintenance of status quo in the matter.

The NBA added that it noted with dismay the very unfortunate state of affairs of the judicial sector in the state.

It, therefore, called on all the feuding parties to sheath swords and allow the process of peacemaking take effect.

It read: “As important stakeholders in the administration of justice in the state, the bar feels constrained to analyse all the issues involved and with the sole aim of trying to bring truce to the prevailing rancorous situation.

“That the bar has noted the resolutions of the Kogi State house of assembly, passed on the 2nd day of April, 2019 on the ongoing crisis.

Read Also: Kogi CJ removal: Judicial workers threatens to shut courts, tribunals nationwide

“That his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State should remove/suspend or cause the Honourable Chief Judge of Kogi State to step aside from office pending investigation of certain allegation against the judiciary”.

It said in view of the subsisting order of the High Court, Koton-Karfe, for the maintenance of the status quo in the matter, Governor Bello should not act on the house recommendations, to allow for peaceful reconciliation.

It, however, commended the state assembly for its recommendation on the immediate payment of the nine months salary arrears owed judicial staff, and appealed to the government to commence payment immediately.

The NBS called on the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), to call off their four months’ old strike, to allow for amicable settlement of the impasse.