The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, says the decision by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to begin publishing the names of judicial nominees is aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and public trust in the judiciary.
Justice Kekere-Ekun explained that the policy, introduced under her leadership, aligns with international best practices, particularly the Constitution Hill Guidelines on Apex Court Appointments released in 2024.
Delivering a paper titled “Innovations in Judicial Practice: Embracing Change for a Better Future” at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association Triennial Conference in Banjul, The Gambia, the CJN said the initiative was designed to give citizens and stakeholders an opportunity to raise objections, share information, or endorse nominees before final appointments are made.
Transparency Already Producing Results
According to a statement by her media aide, Tobi Soniyi, the CJN disclosed that the new system had already produced positive results, with members of the public submitting useful feedback during the last round of judicial appointments.
She stressed that in a diverse country like Nigeria, with over 200 million citizens across multiple ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups, a transparent and inclusive appointment process would boost confidence in the judiciary.
“The visibility of diversity on the Supreme Court bench strengthens public confidence and assures citizens that the judiciary reflects the society it serves,” Justice Kekere-Ekun noted.
Challenges Facing Judicial Appointments
Despite the reforms, the CJN admitted that challenges persist. These include:
• Executive delays in acting on NJC recommendations, which sometimes hinder the Supreme Court from sitting at full strength.
• Security vetting bottlenecks, which can slow down appointments.
• Debates over federal character requirements, often raising questions about balancing merit with inclusivity.
Justice Kekere-Ekun said ongoing reforms are crucial to safeguard the independence and efficiency of the judiciary, while ensuring fairness and representation.
