Judges’ appointment should be on merit: Group

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

A group known as Citizens’ Gavel has insisted that the appointment of judges should be based on merit.

Its Head of Communication, Nelson Olanipekun, in a statement on Sunday, called on Nigerians to exercise their democratic right by speaking up in the selection process.

Olanipekun added that it was time for the temple of justice to be sanitised and for judgements to be delivered accordingly without bias.

According to him, the names of judges had been “meticulously compiled and presented the profiles of the identified twenty-four appointees” for Nigerians to exercise their civic duty by thoroughly examining each individual’s profile.

He said: “The appointment of twelve (12) out of the twenty-four (24) nominated judges is a crucial phase for our democratic journey as more people will be vested with powers to uphold justice, maintain the rule of law, interpret laws, review the constitution, resolve disputes and protect the rights of the ordinary Nigerian, all of which directly impacts the lives of every Nigerian.

“Also, in the vein of judicial accountability, the group has condemned the prevalence of decadence in the Nigerian Judicial System, which has been noticeable in recent years.

“To nip this decadence in the bud, Citizens’ Gavel urgently beckons the people of Nigeria to exercise their democratic right to a transparent and accountable process in appointing judges.

“The NGO insists on the necessity of basing judicial selections on merit and established integrity to arrest the current degradation and fortify the foundations of justice in the nation.

“Moving forward, the group urges the Nigerian judiciary to dispense equal consequences for action, such that everyone plays by the same rules stipulated by the constitution, regardless of status, tribe, religion or name, just as is obtainable in developed, democratic countries.

“Leading the charge for judicial accountability, Citizens’ Gavel have meticulously compiled and presented the profiles of the identified twenty-four appointees.

“The organization invites the Nigerian public to exercise their civic duty by thoroughly examining each individual’s profile.

“Concerns regarding any appointee’s character, conduct, or impartiality should be formally addressed through a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC).”