Chidi Odinkalu, a well-known Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, has openly criticized the recent last-minute judicial appointments made by the retiring Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON. Ariwoola, who is set to retire on August 22, 2024, has been accused of perpetuating nepotism within the Nigerian judiciary.
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In a series of tweets, Odinkalu expressed his disapproval of the appointments, particularly focusing on one case in Ondo State, where the National Judicial Council (NJC) cleared six nominations for the High Court. He pointed out that one of the nominees has strong family connections within the judiciary.
“So, @njcNig just cleared the last judicial nominations under Olukayode Ariwoola. In Ondo State, they nominated 6 for the High Court. 1 of them: her Dad was a CJ; her sister is a judge; her brother was appointed judge of @fcthighcourt last month. Now she is [appointed],” Odinkalu tweeted.
So, @njcNig just cleared the last judicial nominatoons under Olukayode Ariwoola. In Ondo State they nominated 6 for the High Court. 1 of them: her Dad was a CJ; her sister is a judge; her brother was appointed judge of @fcthighcourt last month. Now she ishttps://t.co/yk6PuwjjXw
— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) August 15, 2024
TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that the National Judicial Council today recommended Hon. Justice Kekere-Ekun for the position of Chief Justice. The Council also recommended twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of State Courts and one candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja. These recommendations have been forwarded to their respective State Governors and President Tinubu for approval and subsequent appointment.
The appointments have drawn criticism from various quarters, with some citing concerns over nepotism and the concentration of judicial power within certain families, while others argue that the NJC merely filled vacancies without regard to merit and strength of character and without advertisement.
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