NBA Calls For Expressions Of Interest To Fill 22 Court Of Appeal Vacancies

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a call for expressions of interest from qualified candidates interested in filling 22 vacant positions on the Court of Appeal.

In a statement, NBA President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau said the open positions are based on regional considerations, with 6 vacancies for North Central, 1 for North East, 3 for North West, 5 for South East, 3 for South South, and 4 for South West.

The statement outlined the requirements for prospective applicants, including submission of a signed curriculum vitae, Call to Bar certificate, evidence of Bar practicing fees and NBA branch dues paid over the past 10 years, proof of attendance of at least 5 NBA conferences, evidence of NBA section/forum membership, and copies of at least 10 contested case judgments delivered by the applicant over the past 5 years.

Applicants must also submit letters of good standing from their NBA branch chairman and 5 reference letters, with 2 from Senior Advocates, attesting to the applicant’s good character, knowledge of the law, and ethics.

The deadline for submission of expressions of interest to the NBA National Secretariat is February 7, 2024. Qualified applicants have also been advised to send a similar expression of interest directly to the President of the Court of Appeal.

The statement said the vacant Court of Appeal positions are spread across all geo-political zones in Nigeria.

APPOINTMENT OF 22 (TWENTY-TWO) ADDITIONAL JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEAL: CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Distinguished Colleagues,

By a letter dated 25 January 2024, the Honourable President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, CFR, JP, has requested me, as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, to nominate suitably qualified candidates to be recommended for appointment to the Court of Appeal Bench.

Based on regional consideration, the existing vacancies are as follows: North Central (6), North East (1), North West (3), South East (5), South South (3) and South West (4).

Consequently, suitably qualified candidates interested in applying for appointment to the Court of Appeal, are requested to submit their Expression of Interest to the National Secretariat of the NBA on or before 7 February 2024. All correspondences should be addressed to:

The President

Nigerian Bar Association

c/o Ayodeji Oni, Esq.

Head, Legal Regulatory and Compliance Unit

National Secretariat

Plot 1101 Cadastral Zone A00

Central Business District

Abuja.

The expressions of interest should be accompanied by the following documents:

1. A copy of the applicant’s signed Curriculum Vitae
2. A copy of the applicant’s Call to Bar Certificate
3. Evidence of payment of Bar Practicing Fees (BPF) as and when due, for 10 years preceding the application, inclusive of 2024 (applicable to members of the Bar only) 
4. Evidence of payment of NBA Branch Dues as and when due, for the past 10 years preceding the application, inclusive of 2024 (applicable to members of the Bar only)
5. Evidence of attendance of at least 5 Conferences of the NBA
6. Evidence of membership of Sections or Fora of the NBA (applicable to members of the Bar only)
7. Certified true copies of at least 10 Judgments in contested cases conducted by the applicant within the 5 years preceding the date of application or 8 judgements delivered by the applicant in contested cases within 2 years preceding the date of application.
8. A letter of good standing from the Chairman of the applicant’s Branch, and 5 letters of references (2 of the referees must be Senior Advocates) confirming that the candidate possesses the qualities set out in Rule 4(4)(1)(a), (b) and (d) of the National judicial Council Guidelines for the Appointment of Judicial Officers for Superior Courts of Record as reproduced hereunder:

“In all cases:

1. Good character and reputation, diligence and hard work, honesty, integrity and sound knowledge of law and consistent adherence to professional ethics;

 As may be applicable:

1. Active successful practice at the Bar, including satisfactory presentation of cases in Court as a Legal Practitioner either in private practice or as a Legal Officer in any Public Service;
2. …
3. Credible record of teaching law, legal research in a reputable University and publication of legal works…”

Applicants are advised to address and deliver a similar expression of interest to the President of the Court of Appeal.

For further enquiries/clarifications, please contact Ayodeji Oni on +234 803 345 2825.

Kind regards,

Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN

PRESIDENT