APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES: WHY WE PUBLISH NAMES OF CANDIDATES – CJN
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By Sunmisola Shodayo
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has provided justification for the National Judicial Council, NJC, under her direction, mandating the publication of the names of individuals seeking judicial appointments.
According to the CJN, the policy represents a targeted initiative to bolster accountability, enhance public confidence, and align appointment protocols with international best practices as articulated in the Constitution Hill Guidelines.
She articulated that the approach aimed to introduce an additional layer of transparency to the judicial appointment process, allowing the public and other pertinent stakeholders to raise objections, share information, or endorse candidates prior to the finalisation of appointments.
Justice Kekere-Ekun made this announcement while delivering a presentation entitled “Innovations in Judicial Practice: Embracing Change for a Better Future” at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association Triennial Conference held in Banjul, The Gambia.
The Constitution Hill Global Guidelines on Apex Court Appointments, published in September 2024, established a comprehensive set of baseline principles specifically designed for the unique function of apex courts as definitive arbiters of constitutional interpretation and custodians of democratic governance.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Mr. Tobi Soniyi, the CJN disclosed that the initiative has already produced favorable results, as members of the public submitted their observations concerning the most recent appointments made by the NJC.
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She emphasized that “in a plural society such as Nigeria, with over 200 million citizens across different ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities, the visibility of diversity on the Supreme Court bench strengthens public confidence and assures citizens that the judiciary reflects the society it serves.”
Nonetheless, the CJN acknowledged that despite numerous efforts to enhance the appointment of judicial officers, obstacles persist.
She highlighted some of the challenges, including executive delays in responding to recommendations for appointments issued by the NJC, which she indicated could hinder the court’s ability to operate at full capacity.
Additional challenges mentioned included the necessity for security vetting and the interpretation of federal character requirements, which frequently incite debates regarding the potential compromise of merit for the sake of inclusivity.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, however, reassured the audience, which included chief justices from Commonwealth nations, that Nigeria would persist in appointing individuals to the bench who meet constitutional, professional, and ethical standards.
While in The Gambia, the CJN also visited the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul, where she was warmly welcomed by the chargés d’affaires, Muhammed Mainasara Usma; the Head of Chancery, Amali Musa; and other members of the commission’s staff, as indicated in the statement.
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