Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adamson Adeboro has commended the National Judicial Council (NJC) for introducing a groundbreaking policy to enhance transparency in judicial appointments, describing it as a significant step toward reforming Nigeria’s judiciary.
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In a Arise Tv interview, Adeboro expressed optimism about the policy, which allows public input on the vetting of 80 candidates for judicial positions, but acknowledged challenges like nepotism and potential abuse of the system.
Adeboro welcomed the NJC’s decision to publish a list of 80 candidates for judicial roles, including two Chief Judge nominees and 78 others for High Courts, Sharia Courts of Appeal, and Customary Courts of Appeal, as announced after the NJC’s 108th meeting on April 29-30, 2025. “I was happy… Democracy can only thrive where there is constructive criticism and the ability of the leaders to utilize those criticisms to effect change,” he said, praising Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for her proactive approach to addressing judicial corruption and inefficiencies.
He highlighted the NJC’s recent disciplinary actions, including the suspension and dismissal of judges for misconduct, as evidence of the CJN’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption and speedy justice delivery. “She has taken a bold step to give effect to her words,” Adeboro noted, urging Nigerians to support the initiative despite skepticism about its efficacy.
Adeboro acknowledged the Nigerian judiciary’s tarnished reputation, describing it as “one of the most criticized in the world” and citing a 2023 scandal that further eroded public trust. He argued that judicial officers, as products of Nigeria’s broader societal challenges, reflect the country’s declining social values. “The values in Nigeria are gone… If we don’t fix Nigeria, we don’t fix the judiciary,” he said, emphasizing that systemic reforms are needed to address corruption across all sectors, including the police and judiciary.
On nepotism, a persistent concern in judicial appointments, Adeboro defended the right of qualified candidates to be appointed, regardless of their connections. “If the son or daughter of the CJN is qualified for a position, will you deny that person because of their background?” he asked, advocating for a fair and transparent system where merit prevails. However, he recognized public perceptions of favoritism, suggesting that challenges in the initial implementation will inform future improvements. “Make the system fair enough and transparent… Whoever meets the criteria should be selected,” he urged.
The NJC’s policy marks the first time judicial appointments are open to public scrutiny, allowing Nigerians to submit feedback on candidates within 14 days. Adeboro compared this to the successful public vetting process for Senior Advocates of Nigeria, where input on candidates’ integrity has led to disqualifications. “If that worked, why are you now saying this one will not work? Let’s test run it,” he said, expressing confidence in the CJN’s leadership to ensure the policy’s success.
However, he cautioned about potential abuse, such as malicious complaints aimed at damaging candidates’ reputations. The NJC has warned of “serious consequences” for false submissions, requiring complaints to be specific and supported by affidavits. Adeboro reassured that the system is equipped to handle such issues, noting, “Those who man the position are people of wisdom who will know how to distinguish between a genuine petition and a fictitious petition.” He emphasized that petitions’ content often reveals the writer’s intent, enabling the NJC to filter out bad-faith submissions.
Adeboro viewed the policy as a starting point for broader judicial reforms, acknowledging that challenges like public distrust and entrenched nepotism will persist. “This is just the beginning. Whatever challenge we have here will inform the improvement to be made on subsequent appointments,” he said, urging Nigerians to give the NJC a chance to refine the process. He stressed the need for a holistic overhaul of the judiciary to restore its integrity, aligning with the CJN’s focus on combating corruption and ensuring efficient justice delivery.
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