Lawyers back NJC’s recommendation of candidates for Federal High Court bench

Some Lagos based lawyers have commended the National Judicial Council (NJC) for recommending 14 candidates for appointment as judges of the Federal High Court, while urging further expansion of the court to cope with increasing caseloads.

The lawyers made the commendation in separate interviews with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

Recall that the NJC had at its its 110th meeting held on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, resolved to recommend to President Bola Tinubu, 14 names of successful candidates for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court.

Speaking on the development, Dr Yemi Omodele, a legal practitioner, said the NJC had acted in line with the enabling laws.

According to him, the names of the candidates which have since been made public, is an indication of a process that promotes openness and accountability.

He however stressed an urgent need to strengthen the Federal High Court bench.

“If anyone has objections to any of the candidates being made a judge, he or she is free to forward his or her complaint to the relevant authorities for consideration.

“More judges are needed at the federal high court, because there are a lot of cases there.

“Lagos state in particular needs more judges at the federal high court and more judicial divisions of the court.

“I suggest that there should be Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Alimosho, Ikeja and Yaba judicial divisions of the federal high court in Lagos, because it will go a long way in reducing the work load and thereby, decongest the court,” he stated.

Also speaking, Mrs Jumoke Ade-Ajayi said the recommendation of the NJC was timely and necessary.

Ade-Ajayi said the appointment of additional judges would significantly improve the speed of justice delivery and reduce the long delays experienced by litigants.

She added that publishing the names of nominees allowed for public scrutiny.

“Making the candidates’ names public gives room for objections where necessary and strengthen confidence in the judicial appointment process,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Femi Luckman, another lawyer, said the federal high courts, especially in Lagos, were overstretched.

Luckman also corroborated the calls for more divisions.

“The volume of cases before the federal high court in Lagos is overwhelming and more judges are urgently required to ease the pressure.

“Establishing more judicial divisions will bring justice closer to the people and reduce congestion in existing courts,” he said.