A Bauchi-based legal practitioner, Barrister Alkassim Muhammed, has raised concerns over the transparency of the nomination process for judges and Khadis by the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Muhammed urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to reject the list of nominees, emphasizing the need for accountability in the selection process.
He also called on Governor Bala Mohammed to consider the impact on the state’s judicial system while appealing to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to address the issue to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary.
The lawyer criticised the deviation from constitutional values in the JSC’s recent nominations, expressing dismay at the lack of transparency.
He expressed his displeasure in an interview with journalists in Bauchi on Monday.
He alleged that the process was influenced by sentiment.
Mohammed questioned the criteria used by the JSC, highlighting concerns about the integrity of some nominees.
He said, “I wonder why his time around there is a total departure from the core values and tenets of duties and responsibilities of the JSC under section 197 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria regarding appointments of judges and khadis,” he stated.
The lawyer who argued that the process for shortlisting and appointment of the judges and khadis by the JSC in the state was shrouded in mystery added, “The recently concluded meeting of the Judicial Service Commission, Bauchi State held November 23, 2023, has left the judicial process for the appointment of the suitable, qualified persons in limbo for lack of transparency.
“The entire process was marred and accustomed by sentiment among some members that constitute the composition of the JSC in Bauchi State.
“The recent judicial anarchy in the judiciary in Nigeria today is a result of poor performance of some Judicial officers appointed as members of the higher bench not on the merit but on Godfatherism, nepotism, eye service, sentiment and leading to corruption among the Judicial class.
“The nagging question is what criteria/yardstick did the JSC, Bauchi used in coming up with the names of suitable and qualifiedcandidates forr recommendation as Judges and Kadis of our courts in Bauchi State.”
DAILY POST recalls that an advertisement for the positions was made on October 19, 2023 in a letter with reference number BAS/JSC/S/ADM/93 requesting for the nomination of candidates for appointment as High Court Judges and Kadis of Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State.