Consider Merit, Unwritten Code In Appointment of Supreme Court Justices, CSO, Lawyers Tell NJC
A civil society organisation, Justice and Equity Movement, and senior lawyers in the country have called on the National Judicial Council (NJC), to consider merit and also the tradition of the Court of an unwritten code in the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices. Already, the process of appointing justices to fill the 11 vacant […]
Lawyer’s wig
A civil society organisation, Justice and Equity Movement, and senior lawyers in the country have called on the National Judicial Council (NJC), to consider merit and also the tradition of the Court of an unwritten code in the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices.
Already, the process of appointing justices to fill the 11 vacant positions on the Supreme Court Bench has begun.
The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), nominated 22 justices out of which 11 will be selected.
According to the tradition of an unwritten code that has been existing in the court in selecting the justices, it is expected that three justices are selected from each region to cover the six geo-political zones in the country for equal representation.
Executive Director of the movement, Barrister Alfred C. Basil, said while some states have taken several slots to have representation at the apex court bench, some have not been represented for several years.
He gave particular example of Southwest and Adamawa state in the Northeast that has not had representation in the court in the last 40years.
He however, applauded the leadership of the judiciary in the country for the nominations of the southeast justices.
He said the nominees from the southeast are from different states which is commendable.
According to him, in the Southwest, one of the nominees is from Lagos state while a Justice from Lagos is still serving on the bench of the court.
Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Ahmed Raji, said merit should be considered but however, admitted that there is an unwritten code in the selection of the justices
According to him, there is an unwritten code that each region should have three representatives on the Apex Court Bench.
Dr Raji said, “Each region has three justices. There is an unwritten code in the selection of Supreme Court Justices that each region should have three representatives on the bench.”
A constitutional, lawyer, Barrister Paul Omoluabi, said said each region should be well represented.
He called on the NJC to balance the appointment by giving states that have been denied representation opportunity to serve.