Kwara Bench Vacancies: Perm Sec, DPP, registrars, 41 others jostle for 4 seats
By Kayode Adeoti
On April 25th, 2018, the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) under the chairmanship of Kwara State Chief Judge, Justice Kawu Sulyman Saidu released an advertorial, pursuant to Rule 3 (3) (a) (i) of the 2014 Revised Guidelines for the appointment of four (4) judicial officers into the state High Court and Sharia Court of Appeal, respectively.
Until the close of the advertisement on 9th May, 2018, Pilot Law gathered that no fewer than 45 legal practitioners, including magistrates applied for the noble seat in the legal profession.
Before now, there have been agitations for appointment of judicial officers to ease judges’ workload and as replacement for some of the retired judges such as Justice Mary Afolayan, who took a bow in November, 2017.
Meanwhile, the last time judges were appointed was sometimes in 2013 as Adenike Akinpelu and Amina Ladi Ishiaq joined the benchers.
This medium further learnt that those vying for the seats at the two appellate courts are predominantly private practitioners who have exceeded 10 years post call to the Bar.
Speaking on the development, sources at the state Ministry of Justice who spoke on the basis of anonymity to Pilot Law confirmed that the JSC received 45 applications.
“To the best of my knowledge, the commission has received 45 applications among which 12 persons applied for the Sharia Court Khadis while about 33 lawyers and magistrates submitted their credentials for High Court Judge. In fact, some practitioners who are not based in the state also applied,” the sources revealed.
Notable among the applicants are the Ministry of Justice, Permanent Secretary/Solicitor General, Funsho Lawal and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Abdulmumini Adebimpe.
Also in the race is the serving High Court and Sharia Court Chief Registrars, Moses Olalekan Adegbite and Shakariyat Dagbo. All the five (5) Deputy Chief Registrars (DCR) of the state judiciary; DCR Probate and Research, Ibitayo Olawoyin, DCR Magistrate, Nurudeen Adeyanju, DCR Litigation, Nureni Kuranga, DCR Admin. Sherifat Olanipekun and DCR Area Court, Ganiyu Mustapha are said to have forwarded their credentials to the JSC for consideration.
Alex Akoja, the son of late Justice Akoja, an high court judge is also mentioned to have signified interest.
Pilot Law was reliably informed that five lecturers from College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) and lawyers who are grounded in Islamic law within and outside the state are also gunning for the Sharia court slots.
Meanwhile, since the positions were advertised, it has continued to generate debate among legal practitioners in the state as some are of the view that appointment of only four judicial officers is insignificant to the volume of lawsuits, especially at the High Court.
Speaking on the issue, an Ilorin based Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), Kehinde Kolawole Eleja said, “Justice must be placed at the table of the litigants, it’s a known fact that the state judiciary needs additional hands and the number of vacancies advertised for the two courts are below expectations.
“Though, the conditions for the appointment of judges and Kadis could inform the number. But there must be an improvement in our judiciary. Our courtrooms must be upgraded, even the remuneration of our judges must be reviewed. They must have a good apartment with good cars. All these will aid efficient delivery of their services.”
Similarly, Peter Olorunisola SAN, a notable legal luminary stressed that government can only appoint members of the bench for the two courts based on what it can afford to cater for.
“It is a good thing that the appointment is coming at this time, it will ease the work load of the judiciary and also serve as an employment avenue for some magistrates. I cannot say if the number they plan to appoint is enough or not but I’m sure they will do that based on what government can afford,” he said.
