Citizens’ Gavel, a prominent advocate for transparency in the legal system, has conducted an in-depth analysis of Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, a nominee for the Supreme Court Judgeship from Bauchi State.
Background:
Born on November 23, 1959, in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State, Justice Tsammani has a rich educational background. He attended LEA Primary School, Tafawa Balewa; Government Secondary School, Maiduguri; and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. After being called to the bar in 1983, he pursued postgraduate studies at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and the University of Jos. He began his judicial career as a High Court judge in Bauchi State in 1998 and was elevated to the Court of Appeal on July 16, 2010, currently holding the 11th position on the seniority list.
Controversial/High Profile Cases:
Justice Tsammani has presided over various election and financial matters, including the VAT case between Rivers State Government and the federal government. Notably, he chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court that dismissed the petition against the election of President Bola Tinubu by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi.
He delivered judgements affirming the second term election of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and handed back control of APC in Kano State to outgoing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. He also issued an order restraining Rivers and Lagos state governments from taking action on their bids to collect VAT
In October 2021, he led a panel that dismissed a suit by the suspended National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus. Additionally, he led the panel that gave the October 2022 judgement suspending the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, from custody.
Patterns in Case Assignments:
No discernible patterns were found in the assignment of cases of high political or public interest to Hon. Justice Tsammani, and there is no record of the total number of cases handled by him. However, it is observed that he frequently adjudicates political and high-profile cases, likely due to his role in the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.
Conflict of Interest:
No possible links between Hon. Justice Tsammani and litigants were established, indicating an absence of conflicts of interest.
Recurrence of Technical Reasons Behind Judgements; Miscarriage of Justice; and Incorrect Application of Law and Facts:
Concerns have been raised about the handling of some high-profile and/or political cases by Hon. Justice Tsammani, suggesting that some judgments could have been decided differently.
Disciplinary Issues:
No disciplinary issues have been recorded against Hon. Justice Tsammani.
Citizens Gavel remains committed to fostering transparency, accountability, and public awareness in the legal system by providing unbiased insights into the backgrounds and track records of judicial nominees.
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Signed
Rachael Adio
Communications Associate, Citizens’ Gavel.
