— Says Use of Primordial And Political Basis For Appointment Will Lead To Injustice
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
A foremost Legal Practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, has called on the Judiciary to ensure that the appointment of persons into the Bench is solely based on, strength of character, as well as integrity, as against an appointment based on political or primordial sentiments.
The learned Senior Advocate noted that previously, the recruitment process of Judges or persons into Judicial offices were majorly based on an independent assessment of lawyers by Judicial officers, who in turn recommend same for appointments, noting that any irregularity or challenge with the character of any would-be lawyer or magistrate, was sufficient to ensure the said individual does not get the said appointment.
“The recruitment process to the Bench in Nigeria needs to be fine-tuned to accommodate more seasoned legal Practitioners of courage and character. In those days no one lobbies to be appointed judicial officer. Those on the bench with intergity and good omen watched lawyers, assess them and their characters and recommend the legal Practitioners concerned for recruitment to the Bench. Not many lawyers then get recommendations. Once there was question marks on your intergity as lawyers or magistrates, you can’t get recruitment to the Bench.” The statement notes in part.
Furthermore, he considered that due to the complexity associated with the duties of a Judge, the need to have only men and women of good character and sound wisdom cannot be overemphasized.
“The job of a judge or judex is a very complex one. No man or woman should be made or appointed a judge if he or she lacked strength of character and wisdom. The qualities that those to be appointed judges need to possess have been set out in the Holy Book. Those to be appointed judges must be able men and women such as fear God, men, and women of truth, hating covetousness who can judge the people at all seasons”
“…As long as we recruit judges not on the basis of their strengths of characters and integrity, but on the basis of primordial political and other concerns, so we will have judgments that are completely devoid of logic and justice.” The statement reads in part.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
