Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), recently spoke on Arise TV’s Newsnight about the challenges facing the Nigerian judiciary and the expectations for the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Idrinstitute.jpg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/School-of-Alternative-Dispute-Resolution-SADR-1.jpg")
Dr. Amadi stressed the importance of a thorough confirmation process for the Chief Justice nominee, given the significance of the role as the head of an independent branch of government. He emphasized that the incoming CJN must prioritize addressing systemic issues within the judiciary and demonstrate a strong commitment to combating corruption.
During the interview, Dr. Amadi called upon the new CJN to assess the collective culpability of judges and lawyers involved in corrupt practices and take decisive action to restore public trust in the judiciary. He expressed concern about public officials who discourage discussions about pending court cases and criticize the judiciary, stating that such actions could negatively impact the public’s perception of the judicial system and hinder efforts to address internal issues.
Furthermore, Dr. Amadi expressed his concerns about public officials who are against discussing pending court cases and criticizing the judiciary. He referred to a question from the Senate President, who mentioned lawyers discussing ongoing cases, and questioned the basis for such comments. Dr. Amadi emphasized that judges are trained to overlook contentious topics and opinions, focusing instead on their judicial responsibilities. “I am worried about why public officials are against continuing to speak out about everything wrong with the judiciary,” Dr. Amadi stated, expressing his concern that discouraging such statements could negatively impact the public’s perception of the judicial system and hinder efforts to address issues within it.
Additionally, Dr. Amadi highlighted the importance of the judiciary’s independence and the need for legal practitioners to express their opinions without constraint. He emphasized that punishing individuals for their decisions or opinions could undermine the integrity of the judicial process.
To prevent post-election disputes, Dr. Amadi emphasized the importance of strengthening electoral institutions and ensuring adherence to established principles. He noted that inconsistencies in judicial processes and the tendency to contest election results often stem from a lack of adherence to these principles.
In addition, Dr. Amadi raised concerns about judges dining with politicians and attending the Judiciary’s Legal Year celebration. He argued that only legal professionals should be invited to such events, not politicians. Dr. Amadi stressed that maintaining a clear separation between the judiciary and political figures is crucial for preserving the independence and impartiality of the judicial system.
_______________________________________________________________________ 
"ELECTION MATTERS CASE DIGEST" by Dr. Akin Olawale Oluwadayisi and Moses DUKU Price: ₦20,000 or $15 per copy Contact Information: - Email: benakollegalclassics@gmail.com - WhatsApp only: 07038211889 - Voice Call – Mobile: 070-65830466; 234-7038-2118-89.
