Justice Tanko Muhammad, Chief Justice of Nigeria, has called for open nominations in a departure from the traditional process of appointing Supreme Court Justices. He asked for six candidates to fill the vacancy in the apex court.
CJN wrote to all judicial officers in Nigeria that it had become necessary to fill the vacancies following the death of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Justice Samuel Oseji. Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour also has retired.
Following his retirement, three other Justices will also leave the seat of the court including Justice Mary Odili, Ejembi Eko, and Abdu Aboki. They will retire they are turning 70 this year.
The vacancies are served where two seats are for the South-East geopolitical zone of the country, and one each for the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-West.
The CJN noted that education qualifications were not the only criterion for selection. The National Judiciary Commission, NJC, and the public will scrutinize the nominated candidates. Lawyers were asked what the NJC should do to ensure only competent candidates are chosen in its selection process.
- Prof. Sam Erugo: Candidates must undergo a transparency test
- Babatunde Fashanu, SAN: Candidates must be grounded in law
- Gbenga Ojo: Political manipulation must be resisted
- Welfare Secretary of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Kunle Edu: There must be a minimum threshold of integrity
- Anne Agi: Process must be rigorous, robust
- Former Chairman, NBA, Katsina branch, Garba Abubakar: Public scrutiny should be encouraged
- Emmanuel Ochai: Politically exposed candidates should be disqualified
- Adenrele Adegborioye: Merit must be fundamental
