The Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary (V4IJ), a foremost think tank on judicial matters in Nigeria has admonished members of the Edo State Judicial Commission (JSC), to follow due process and merit in the appointment process for would-be Judges in Edo State , currently on going.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday the 28th of October, 2022, the President of the Vanguard, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., on behalf of members of the platform which cut all across Nigeria stated thus:
“The Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary(V4IJ), is not unaware of the undercurrent and intense intrigues, that is pervading the appointment process for would-be Judges in Edo State. The Vanguard states that our Organisation will not allow the imposition of unqualified candidates or candidates who do not have the requisite experience to be Judges in Edo State. We call on the Edo State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to perish the thought of bringing any candidate lacking in the basic characteristics and qualifications to be a Judge in Edo State , as we make bold to say, we will not allow such to happen, as we will do all that is necessary under the Law to stop such.
The Vanguard calls on the Edo State JSC to send the names of all applicants who put in applications at the end of the submission exercise to the bar association in Edo State and we call on the Bar Association to do a thorough vetting process of all the candidates who submitted applications to ensure that unqualified candidates and those with proven baggage are sifted out. We also call for great consideration to lawyers in the private bar and of the male gender in this exercise, as both were greatly short changed at the last exercise. We know those who have served the judiciary at the lower bench meritorious and also those who distinguished themselves in the official bar, they should be given premium of place from their end.
The days of writing recommendations to only those shortlisted and favoured by the powers that be are over. We are in touch with other partner organisations in Nigeria on this matter and we will wish to state that we will ensure that the process meets the transparency test, as judicial officers handle matters too weighty to be left to chance.”
