Judiciary
A former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Douglas Ogbankwa, on Saturday, harped on the need for a genuinely independent Judicary to promote seamless access to Justice.
Ogbakwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday that the struggle for a sustainable independence of the Judiciary in Nigeria must be achieved now, adding that stakeholders of the Justice sector must not relent.
According to him, the NBA must inevitably champion the course of a true and effective Judicial independence and itemised ways of acheiving these set goals.
“The bar must rise up to the occasion and take crucial steps aimed at preserving our legal system.
“The appointment process of judges must be taken out of the purview of interference, and in this regard, we must amend the constitution to leave judicial appointments to judicial authorities alone.
“The appointment of judges must also be made in the open to the full glare of the public and public scrutiny; this is the only way we will be sure that there is transparency in the process of appointments.
“The days of announcing appointment of judges by the NJC statements should be over; Let Nigerians see for themselves who is qualified and who is not.
“I also recommend that the selection process for Judges be covered live on television for that is the only way we can vouch for the integrity of the process,” he said
According to Ogbankwa, “We will not be proud to bequeath a rotten Judicialry on our children, adding that those who gain from a rotten system today, can become victims tomorrow.
“We should also ensure a sustenance of the financial independence of the judiciary,as provided for by Section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (As Amended ), which provides thus:
“Any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned.
“The provision on this issue is very clear; Just pay the money standing to the credit of the judiciary on first line charge from the Consolidated Revenue Funds to the Heads of Court.
“If we as a nation protect the rule of law while in respective offices, the rule of law will protect us when we are out of office, ” he said
He urged the judiciary to be self-assertive on issues when the law is on its side, adding that it is possible to achieve a liberated Judiciary.
NAN
– Jan. 30, 2021 @ 13:25 GMT |
Tags: Ex NBA scribe harps on sustainable judicial independence
