The move by the House of Representatives to allow five-year tenure to the office of the Chief Justice of the Federation, CJN, President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judges of the 36 states of the federation and other heads of courts in Nigeria has drawn the ire of lawyers, who had argued that the move is unnecessary.
Recall that the House of Representatives recently introduced a bill seeking five-year tenure for the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN,, President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judges in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Grand Khadi of a Sharia Court of Appeal and President of Customary Court of Appeal.
This is against the current practice, where heads of courts hold offices until they attain the retirement age or they are removed from office.
Some lawyers do not agree that it would motivate officers and enhance efficiency; rather their argument is that it would shortchange some states, particularly those that send young judges to the apex court.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mrs Bridget Edokwe, clearly disagreed with the lawmakers’ argument, stressing that there is no need changing a flawless system.
