Access To Justice Writes FCT Chief Judge, Faults Judicial Recruitment Process

A rights group, Access to Justice, has written to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, faulting the ongoing judicial recruitment process in the court.

In a letter dated February 12th, Access to Justice accused the Chief Judge of violating the constitution by restricting the eligibility for the 12 vacant positions to only candidates from 12 states.

The group said allowing nominations from only the predetermined states of Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba and Zamfara suggests the process has been influenced to favor some candidates.

It described the action as “unconstitutional” and promoting “nepotism”, “insider dealing” as well as damaging public trust in the judiciary.

Access to Justice urged Justice Baba-Yusuf to use an independent external panel to evaluate all qualified applicants on merit in the ongoing recruitment.

It called on the Chief Judge to stand against violation of the constitution and resist pressure from any quarters capable of influencing his duties.

The group referenced the Chief Judge’s recent pledge at the 2023/2024 Legal Year ceremony, to demonstrate transparency in the justice system’s operations.