Deeply concerned about the growing loss of confidence in the judicial arm of government and the legal profession, 20 senior advocates of Nigeria (SANs), under the aegis of The Justice Reform Project are pressing for a holistic reform of the judiciary, saying the system has failed. This followed the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen by President Muhamadu Buhari and replacing him with the next in line, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.
Both Justices have been dragged before the National Judicial Council (NJC) which gave them seven days terminating Thursday to answer petitions against them.
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The group in a statement yesterday said they feel obliged to make the intervention for two primary reasons. “A recognition that the events which have resulted in this debacle is in fact a manifestation of and response to a deeper malaise in the administration of justice and justice delivery in Nigeria. “A concern that the crisis of confidence that is currently shaking the judiciary and the legal profession in Nigeria is unprecedented.”
The group comprising, Mr. Kayode Sofola, Ebun Sofunde, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, Yemi Candide-Johnson, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade and others said the widespread perception that there is corruption in the judiciary is hardly incontestable.“And this perception is supported by anecdotal evidence. Unscrupulous litigants and some complicit lawyers, including some Senior Advocates, procure judgments and orders by corrupt means. It is also beyond dispute that the system for self-regulation in the judiciary and the legal profession has failed.
“Lack of transparency and a deep appreciation of the basic ethos of governance in the processes and procedures of the relevant institutions lies at the very heart of the challenges the Bench and the Bar are currently facing,” they said.Therefore, the group, it said, has been established to collaborate with stakeholders in an effort aimed at achieving broad consensus on, and implementing a process that will lead to the review and reform of critical aspects of justice delivery system.
