A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Adegoke has congratulated the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for her ascension to the highly coveted seat of CJN, but has also warned that her tenure might also be another run-of-the mill job done unless she would take the bold step of initiating much-needed reforms in the judiciary.
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According to the Senior Advocate, the need for significant reforms to restore public trust in the Nigerian judiciary, which he believes has suffered due to the misconduct of a few judges, cannot be over-emphasized.
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Calling on Justice Kekere-Ekun to adopt a firm stance on judicial discipline, Adegoke stressed that the National Judicial Council, under the Chief Justice’s leadership, must implement stringent disciplinary measures, including prosecution for criminal acts, to effectively address judicial misconduct.
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Regarding judicial appointments, Adegoke highlighted the importance of merit and integrity, criticizing past appointments where individuals of questionable character were elevated to the bench.
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He proposed that public reviews of potential judicial appointments, similar to the process for Senior Advocate of Nigeria designations, be introduced to ensure greater scrutiny and transparency, urging that judicial appointments and elevations be based strictly on merit rather than personal connections or past favors.
Adegoke noted that while many judges are competent and honorable, some have questionable qualifications, which undermine public confidence in the judiciary, insisting that the system must be cleaned up so that such persons unworthy of their presence within the portals of justice are weeded out.
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Referring to the recent 300 percent increase in judicial officers’ remuneration, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), expressed the hope that this raise will diminish financial temptations for judges, pointing out that maintaining economic integrity is crucial for the judiciary’s credibility.
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Furthermore, Adegoke urged the new CJN to ensure the enforcement of court judgments, which he said many government institutions often ignore, thereby undermining the authority of the judiciary.Â
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Emphasizing the need for a strict approach to enforcing judgments to uphold the judiciary’s role as a pillar of justice in society, Adegoke stressed that his observations underscore the need for reform and accountability within the Nigerian judiciary to restore public trust and ensure the fair administration of justice, a task he wants Mrs. Kekere-Ekun to set out to accomplish.
Daily Query/Daily Sun
