The Nigerian Bar Association, Bauchi Branch, has called on Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to urgently reconsider the planned appointment of seven new High Court judges in the state over what it described as gender-based segregation in the recruitment process.
Addressing journalists in Bauchi, the branch chairman, Rabiu Garba Esq., said the association was concerned about a public notice issued by the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission for the appointment of seven judges — specifically allocating five slots to females and two to males.
According to the NBA, the notice, referenced BAS/JSC/S/APP/3/VOL.III and dated April 27, 2026, raised constitutional concerns among members of the association because of its explicit gender classification.
The association argued that the arrangement contradicts Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, ethnicity, religion, or other status.
The NBA said concerns from members prompted the convening of an emergency congress on May 15, 2026, at the Bauchi Bar Centre, where the issue was extensively debated.
Following deliberations, the congress commended the Chief Judge of Bauchi State and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, for securing seven judicial slots for the state, but insisted that the appointment process must comply with constitutional provisions and principles of fairness.
The congress resolved that appointments into the judiciary should be based on integrity, competence, capacity, and capability rather than gender considerations.
The association also called for a transparent and inclusive process in line with Section 271(3) of the Constitution, urging the commission to provide equal opportunities for qualified candidates from both the public and private legal sectors.
According to the NBA, opening the process to all qualified legal practitioners would strengthen the judiciary and ensure the emergence of the most competent candidates.
The branch therefore appealed to the Judicial Service Commission to review the entire exercise in line with its resolutions to promote fairness, rule of law, and public confidence in the judiciary.
The association added that it expects the commission to respond positively to its concerns, warning that further steps may be taken should the issues raised remain unaddressed.
