By Iliya Kure
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the appointment of Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak as the Chief Judge of Gombe State, northeast Nigeria.
The approval was granted at the 97th Meeting of the National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of Justice I. T. Muhammad, held on 15 and 16 March 2022.
A statement published on website of the Council by Director of Information, Soji Oye, listed Mr Awak’s name among 15 successful candidates approved as Heads of Courts and other Judicial Officers in Nigeria.
According to the statement, “All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and their respective State Governors and confirmation by the National Assembly and the respective State House of Assemblies as the case may be.”
Justice Awak has been acting as the Chief Judge of Gombe State since early January, when the embattled Acting Chief Judge of the State, Mr Pindiga, retired from service.
Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak hails from Awak village of Kaltungo Local Government of the state, and began his civil service career in judiciary 1984, in the then Bauchi state.