Make Judges’ Appointment As Open As Elevation Of SANs — Adekoya SAN

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs Funke Adekoya, has called for more transparency in the process of appointing judges to the bench.

She suggested that just as members of the public can send in comments on lawyers proposed for elevation as SANs, similar scrutiny should apply in judges’ appointment.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the learned silk questioned why nomination of judges paid with public funds is not open to public input like that of SANs published in newspapers

“If elevation to SAN rank requires publication in the newspapers and comments on unfavourable candidates are requested, why is the appointment of judges who will be paid from public funds shielded from the public that they are expected to serve?” she asked.

Her tweet seems to have struck a chord as it drew reactions from other legal practitioners. One user, @SunkanmiShams responded sarcastically that it would be awkward for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to publish a list dominated by relatives of sitting judges.

Mrs Adekoya’s call ties in with ongoing efforts to reform the judiciary and make it more responsive to the people it serves. It remains to be seen if the authorities will heed her suggestion to make judges’ nomination more transparent.