NBA nominates Agbakoba, 8 others for Supreme Court posts
Olisa Agbakoba
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has forwarded names of nine eligible candidates to the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Judicial Service Commission, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for appointment as justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The short-listing followed a rigorous process of selection done by a select committee chaired by the president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud, with eight other eminent lawyers as members.
Among candidates nominated for selection by the NJC was former President of the NBA, Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN).
Others are Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe (SAN), Yunus Ustas Usman (SAN), Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), Miannayaaja Essien (SAN), Awa Uma Kalu (SAN), Professor Awalu Hamish Yadudu, Tajudeen Oladoja and Ayuba Giwa.
The above-mentioned applicants were shortlisted from a total of 89 expressions of interest that were scrutinised.
Recall that the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, had earlier forwarded a request to the president of NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN “to nominate a suitable candidate for consideration as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
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4 Comments
How many of the existing Supreme Court justices were SAN before appointment either to the Appeal Court or Supreme Court? The cult called SAN makes it appear that you have to be a SAN to be known as a lawyer. That certainly is not fair especially viewed against the corruption that attends the process of the elevation. SAN has become a cult. So when the Ag. Chief Justice asked NBA to do a short list, what do you expect?
This is not exactly my perception of industrial harmony. One doesn’t know enough but I should’ve thought that nominees to the Supreme Court would’ve been on the bench with some considerable experience. This will create an unsavoury precedent and see the NBA and NJC on a collusion course. What happens when politicians second their solicitors for appointment as judges? Well, it is only a matter of time. There is no doubt on my mind that such will further dilute the already bruised credibility of the apex court.
… a nice attempt to break the all-northern grip on the CJN succession in coming generations – smart one, tho
Southerners too occupied the position between 1958 and 1987
We will review and take appropriate action.