Human rights activist Chidi Odinkalu has ignited a heated debate after claiming on his X (formerly Twitter) platform that the federal government is actively considering an amendment to extend the judicial shelf life of Appellate Court Justices to 75 years.

Odinkalu stated, “I am hearing from sources whose warnings I am obliged to take very seriously that active consideration is being given to an amendment to extend the judicial shelf life of Appellate Justices to 75 years.”

Odinkalu’s revelation comes amid growing concerns over the legacy of the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who is set to retire on August 22. In a tweet responding to @Mindset_Post, who said, “The incoming CJN, Justice Kekere-Ekun, will be inheriting an awful legacy from arguably the worst chief justice the country has had in terms of the core mission of the judiciary.”

The proposed amendment has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some believe extending the tenure of judges could benefit the judiciary, others have expressed reservations about the integrity and competence of Nigerian judges.

One respondent on X argued, “Even if it is 80 years, nothing spoils! Somewhere, the appointment is for life, subject to good behavior (which means each Justice decides when to retire!) And that country’s judiciary is not doing badly!” However, another user raised concerns, stating, “But ours? Even before getting to the bench, many of them have doctored their birth dates and are already past their physically fit self.”

A senior lawyer, who preferred to remain anonymous, strongly opposed the idea, cautioning against comparing Nigerian judges to esteemed figures like Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and Justices Henry Friendly or Learned Hand, who served as appellate justices for extended periods. The lawyer asserted, “Don’t let us compare the likes of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr retaining their office until age 90 years or Justices Henry Friendly or Learned Hand going strong for 45 years as appellate justices with ours who can’t cope at all.

Another lawyer said, “But ours? Even before getting to the bench, many of them have doctored their birth dates and are already past their physically fit self. Don’t let us compare the likes of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr retaining their office until age 90 years or Justices Henry Friendly or Learned Hand going strong for 45 years as appellate justices with ours who can’t cope at all. A bad idea has no synonym. Bad is bad.”

Efforts to obtain comments from the National Assembly on the reported proposed amendment have been unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

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