By Kayode Adeoti
Following announcement that interested persons should apply for bench
seat at the Kwara State High Court, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, Muhammed Idowu Akande has made what
many people consider as ‘surprise application’ to the Judiciary
Service Commission (JSC)
Akande, among many other legal practitioners including the Permanent
Secretary/Solicitor General of the Ministry of Justice, Funsho Lawal
have signified interest to quit litigation and enter into the league
of ‘My Lord’.
Recall that the State Chief Judge, Justice Durosinlohun Kawu had
recently called for applications from to fill five positions at the
High Court bench.
According to findings by Pilot Law, Akande, the first NBA boss to
emerge from the Ministry of Justice, was among the earliest candidates
to submit credentials.
To some lawyers who are in the know Akande’s application is coming,
rather as a surprise considering his present position as the helmsman
of the NBA which was said to have earned him so much honour.
Lawyers who spoke on condition of anonymity with this medium, stressed
that the NBA boss may stand better chance as his present position may
count in his favour.
For the Permanent Secretary, she was said to have put pen on paper to
register her interest several times and that she may be considered
this time given her determination to sit on the bench.
Checks by Pilot Law, last night, revealed that virtually all the Chief
magistrates including all DCRs have submitted applications. DCR
Probate: Kudirat Yahyah, DCR Magistrates: Olawoyin, DCR Litigation:
Nurudeen Adeyanju, DCR Administration: Nureni Kuranga have registered
their interests.
It was also gathered that there are many legal practitioners from the
state Ministry of Justice, private Chambers even in the diaspora, who
have forwarded their applications to the JSC.
For now, the JSC is said to be welcoming petitions in respect of those
who have submitted applications and that anyone found wanting will be
disqualified from the race.
One of the magistrates who lend voice on this issue, stated that, by
next week, the application will close, adding that JSC will start
screening exercise thereafter.
The magistrate who doesn’t want his name in print said, “The process
of appointing judges this time will not be rigorous and time
consuming like the previous one. Once the names are shortlisted, it
will be sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC). Of course, more
than the five names required will be sent, at least double, the
national body will make final shortlisting. Afterwards, the governor
will swear them in.
“The development is coming at a time judiciary needs serious reform,
this appointment will in no small way, improves our system and we’re
grateful for that. It’s good as we’re having reform in infrastructure
and in manpower, when a judge is saddled with much responsibilities,
he or she may not be able to give efficient service.”
This development will mark the second time in 2019, the Kwara State
Judiciary will be appointing legal practitioners to take up bench
responsibility.
The exercise which was done in April, 2019 saw the appointment of the
High Court Chief Registrar, Olalekan Adegbite and Director of Civil
Litigation, Hammed Aliyu Gegele into the bench cadre.
Also elevated to the upper bench cadre at the Sharia Court of Appeal
were the Chief Registrar, Sarafadeen Anafi and a Lagos-based legal
practitioner, Abdulrraheem Ahmad Sayi.
Appointment of new judges, this time, is coming on the heels of
approval of the Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
for the commencement of exercise to appoint five (5) judges for the
Kwara State High Court.
The Kwara Chief Judge, Justice Sulyman Durosinloun, in a letter
forwarded to the NBA, humbly requested the legal body to nominate
suitable and qualified persons of Kwara origin for consideration for
the appointment.
“In making your nomination/recommendation, I urge you to take account
of the provisions of Section 271 (3) 1999 Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria as amended and Rule 3 (2) of the 2014 Revised
National Judicial Council Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the
Appointment of Judicial Officers of All Superior Courts of Record in
Nigeria.
“Please kindly forward your nomination together with all supporting
documents to reach me not later than three (3) weeks from the date of
this letter,” the letter read.
The judicial officers are expected to be sworn-in on a date yet to be
announced by the State Governor, after they must have been confirmed
by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Meanwhile, before now, there have been serious agitations among legal
practitioners for recruitment of judges since Justice Mary Afolayan
bowed out of active service in 2017.
The legal practitioners are of the opinion that appointment of more
judges to replace the retired ones will enhance smooth dispensation of
justice in the state.
