The Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN) has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad over the appointment of some judges to the appellate court bench.
Specifically, the group wants Justice Muhammad, who doubles as Chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, FJSC, to cancel the recent appointment of some jushe’s to the Appeal Court.
GICN in a letter of protest addressed to the CJN, dated January 25, 2021 described the process of the appointment as “Lacking transparency and due process”.
In the petition sighted on Tuesday, signed by Esther Wuese Iorhuna, Esq., Compliance Officer, the group said at all times material to its existence, the Commission must be seen to be playing the role of appointment, promotion and discipline of judicial staff in an effective, efficient and trustworthy manner to ensure fair and proper administration of justice to the Nigerian populace.
In the letter, the group called on the Chairman FJSC, National Judicial Council (NJC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS) as well as other relevant stakeholders in the Justice Sector to rise to the occasion by cancelling the entire process leading to the recent emergence of certain persons as Justices of the Court of Appeal.
The petition reads in part, ”Our Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN) is aggrieved to note that the Federal Judicial Service Commission (simply called the “FJSC” or “Commission”) under your leadership has decided to recklessly desecrate the Judiciary, which should be the last hope of the common man.
“Suffice it to state that Nigerians, particularly, those who followed events at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court last year are yet to recover from the shocks as a result of shabby appointment of Judges done.”
”We recall that it took the timely intervention of Mr. President before the anomaly created by the said appointment could be remedied.”
