Judges to sit for exams before appointment

Posted by admin Judiciary, Latest Politics Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

Prospective judges will in future write tests and appear for interviews before appointment.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, said this at the inauguration of 12 judges appointed for the Federal High Court, on Monday.

He said unlike before, when judges were appointed based on nomination, tests and interviews would be introduced in order to make the appointment process more rigorous.

Musdapher said, “In the very near future, as part of the reforms undertaken by the judiciary, processes for appointment will be more rigorous and may include test and interviews in order to choose the most suitable Nigerians to man the court.”

The CJN told the new judges that their appointment was in response to the cry against the delay in the disposal of cases in the high courts, where he said about 150,000 suits were currently pending.

He commended the National Assembly for approving the increase in the number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 100.

“I believe that this increase in the number of judges of the Federal High Court will translate to a reduction in the number of cases pending before the Federal High Court,” he said.

Musdapher expressed hope that the increase in the number of judges would also ensure that corruption cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission were heard on a daily basis.

He said, “The Federal High Court is now properly staffed to deal without any delay these cases filed by the EFCC and ICPC.

“Arrangements are being made to hear these cases from day to day without any adjournment. Some of these judges will be exclusively assigned to try all those high-profile cases on day-to-day basis.”

Musdapher admonished the judges to shun all manner of misconduct that could call their integrity and that of the judiciary into question.

He specifically warned them against taking bribes.

He said, “One of the most important rules of conduct for a judge is to guard against bribery and all forms of corrupt practices.

“Doing the contrary would amount to unlawful gain, unfaithful conduct, divine transgression and offending the judicial oath and the trust of the common man.

“Hence I urge you to shun corruption and shrink from all actions, inactions, omissions and commissions capable of bringing the judiciary into disrepute.

“I urge you not to be swayed by the antics of those who are determined to pervert the course of justice and distract you from your statutory responsibilities.”

-Punchwp_posts