The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, on Monday, lamented the undue interference of politicians in the process of judges appointment.
The CJN, who spoke in Lagos at the first Biennial Lecture of the Lagos State Judiciary, said that state governors would always want to have their ways in selecting candidates for judicial appointment even if it goes contrary to National Judicial Council’s nomination.
“Appointment of judges have become highly politicised as a governor of a state will not approve the names of persons nominated for the bench for NJC scrutiny if the names of his candidates are not included on that list,” the CJN said.
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Mr Onnoghen, who was represented by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court, decried the falling standard at the Bar.
According to him, there cannot be a strong bench without a strong Bar, since judges are appointed from among lawyers.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the lecture, with the theme, “Judicial Standards, integrity, respect and public perception: A comparative analysis from independence in 1960 to the present millennium,” was chaired by the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Financial Crimes, Abiodun Aikumo.
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In attendance were the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, the Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Rosaline Bozimo, Attorney General of Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem, judges, magistrates, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other lawyers.
