Civil Society Organisation, Citizens Gavel, has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene in the controversial nomination process for the Chief Judge of Ekiti State.
The organisation expressed concerns over alleged disregard for constitutional provisions and judicial seniority.
It noted that the most senior judge in Ekiti State, Hon. Justice Jubril Babajide Aladejana, who has served on the bench since November 1998, was overlooked by the Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission in favour of two junior judges: Hon. Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye (appointed April 2010) and Hon. Justice Ogunyemi Olusegun Isaac.
Justice Aladejana had, in May, raised alarm over his exclusion from the shortlist of nominees forwarded to the NJC for appointment as the next Chief Judge of Ekiti State.
The exclusion, according to him, not only contravenes judicial seniority convention but also echoes a painful chapter of past injustice that saw him suspended from office for 16 years.
He said the governor’s choice of Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who was appointed to the bench nearly 12 years after him, raises constitutional and ethical questions.
Senior Legal Analyst, Citizens Gavel, Sylvester Agih, in a statement on Sunday, said the apparent violation of judicial seniority and constitutional order in Ekiti undermines the sanctity of the judiciary and poses a threat to public confidence in the judicial process.
The group urged the NJC to apply the same level of scrutiny and firmness it recently demonstrated in Imo State, where 10 judges were compulsorily retired for various acts of misconduct, including falsifying dates of birth and unconstitutional appointments.
Agih said, “We are particularly encouraged by the NJC’s directive to the Imo State Governor to appoint the most senior judicial officer as Acting Chief Judge, in line with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution. This precedent underscores the NJC’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline, aligning with the CJN’s leadership in fostering accountability and fairness.
“However, we are deeply concerned by developments in Ekiti State, where the most senior judge, Hon. Justice Jubril Babajide Aladejana, appointed in November 1998, was overlooked for the Chief Judge position. Instead, two junior judges, Hon. Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye (appointed April 2010) and Hon. Justice Ogunyemi Olusegun Isaac, were nominated by the Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission.
“This apparent breach of seniority and constitutional norms risks undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
“Citizens Gavel urgently calls on the NJC to investigate these allegations in Ekiti State with the same rigour applied in Imo State. We urge the NJC to ensure that the appointment process adheres to established judicial conventions and constitutional provisions, directing the Ekiti State Governor to appoint the most senior judicial officer, Hon. Justice Aladejana, as Chief Judge. Furthermore, we call for appropriate sanctions against any judicial officers or officials found culpable of breaching these standards.
“The NJC’s swift action in Imo State has set a commendable precedent, and we trust it will extend this commitment to Ekiti State to maintain consistency and uphold public trust in Nigeria’s judiciary.”
