Judicial appointments becoming political –NBA

The Nigerian Bar Association on Monday cautioned the federal and state governments against politicising judicial appointments, saying the job of the Bench required experience.

The President of  the NBA, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), who stated this in Calabar, Cross River State, said judicial appointments should not be based on favouritism.

Wali, at the commencement of the 2013 Annual General Conference of the association, also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to ensure the speedy rescue of one of its notable members, Mr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who was kidnapped on Saturday in Edo State.

Wali warned  at the five-day  conference whose theme is: “Law, Leadership and Challenges of Nationhood in the 21st Century Nigeria,” that  politicising judicial appointments  would never be welcomed by the NBA.

He said, “Judicial appointments are becoming political and  they  should not  be. The job is not that for the boys, experience must count. So, the process must therefore be extricated from favouritism and the NBA will continue to monitor the process closely.”

Wali  also made a  brief remark on the ongoing amendment to  the 1999 Constitution, pointing out that  the association had proposed that the process must continue with the active involvement of  Nigerians.

He said it was only when  people’s inputs were incorporated into the constitution that it  could become acceptable.

On the security challenges facing the country, the NBA President  urged the Federal Government to concentrate first on ensuring internal peace before embarking on foreign missions.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed  Adoke,who spoke for President Goodluck  Jonathan,  noted that the 21st century had brought about challenges relating to securing  lives and properties  in the face of increasing global terrorism  as well as   the protection of the rights and liberties of the people.

He, however, said success could only be achieved through a  partnership  between the government, the organised private sector, labour, patriotic and public-spirited individuals  and professional associations such as the NBA.

Also, the Chairman of the event and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa  Belgore, said  the NBA had a critical role to play in the stability of the country.

While noting that the country still needed a lot of lawyers, Belgore lamented that the quality of teaching at the universities had dropped considerably due to dearth of qualified teachers.

PUNCH