The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) is facing scrutiny amid allegations of disregarding its own rules and criteria in the nomination of judges to the Court of Appeal. Renowned lawyer and activist Chidi Odinkalu has raised concerns about the integrity of the judicial appointment process.
Odinkalu highlighted discrepancies in the FJSC’s decision-making process, citing minutes from an emergency meeting held on November 19, 2020. During this meeting, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, proposed criteria stating that judges with less than five years on the bench or less than five years until retirement should not be considered for elevation to the Court of Appeal. Allegedly, the FJSC agreed to these criteria.
However, Odinkalu alleges that the recent nomination of Justice Eleojo Enenche of the Federal Capital Territory High Court to the Court of Appeal violates these established rules. According to Odinkalu, Justice Enenche was appointed as a judge in November 2021, with less than two years of judicial experience, and spent nine months attached to another judge.
Moreover, Odinkalu claims that Justice Enenche’s appointment to the Federal Capital Territory High Court was contentious, as he had previously served as a personal assistant to the Chief Judge, contrary to established rules.
Odinkalu also highlighted concerns about two other nominees to the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court and Justice Lawal Akapo of the Lagos High Court, who would not meet the FJSC criteria as they have less than five years remaining until retirement.
These allegations have prompted questions regarding the consistency and fairness of the judicial appointment process in Nigeria. While the FJSC has yet to respond to Odinkalu’s claims, the issue has garnered significant attention among legal professionals and the general public.
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