High Court President's Resignation Raises Questions

By Dawit Endeshaw

Wubishet Shiferaw, president of the Federal High Court, resigned from his office, effective October 12, 2015.

In his resignation letter, which was accepted by the Judges Administration Council, he indicated health concerns and his studies

A married man and a father of two, currently, is pursuing a doctorate in Law.

"It has been two years since I started contemplating leaving my position," Wubishet told Fortune. "Then I gave my job a priority and withdrew from my studies for a year."

Wubishet, 41, who has been on the job since 2009, was awarded a LLB from Addis Abeba University in 1995 and attained a LLM from Amsterdam University in 2005.

Judges, presidents and vice presidents of federal courts at all levels are nominated, suspended or have their tenure terminated by the Judicial Administration Council, chaired by the President of the Supreme Court. Judges who wish to resign are required to give two months' notice.

Wubishet submitted his resignation on October 2, 2015, which the Council accepted immediately, releasing him from his responsibilities in 10 days.

"The reasons mentioned in the letter and discussed in the meeting that passed the decision were health issues and the judge's educational pursuit," said Tsaher Mekuria, head of the Council's office, explaining why the decision was expedited. "Given the situation, judges may be required to stay in their position for up to six months based on the decision reached by the Council."

Despite the official smooth rationale behind the departure of the President, sources who asked to be anonymous, connect his departure from office with other dodgy factors.

The President has been implicated in handling cases in an inappropriate manner, particularly the series of court battles between Orchid Business Group and Yonas Kassahun before both civil and criminal benches of the High Court.

In particular, his decision to suspend the judge who was hearing a cyber crime case against Yonas Kassahun was reversed by the Council; the suspended judge had released Yonas from a two-year jail sentence. Wubishet had suspended the judge the same day she passed the ruling in favour of Yonas.

Following Wubishet's resignation, the Vice President is now fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of both posts. So far, no single candidate has come from the president of the Supreme Court, who usually has the authority to select the candidates and have them approved by Parliament.

"I am open for any new assignment that may come from the government," Wubishet said. Pursuing his PhD from Warwick University for the past five years using the sponsorship given by the World Bank for legal professionals. . "The relief has given me ample time to focus on my doctoral dissertation."

Source: AllAfrica