Supreme Court Justice Musa Dattijo Addresses Concerns About Judiciary and Calls for Reform.
In a candid reflection on the state of the Nigerian judiciary, retired Supreme Court Justice Musa Dattijo has shed light on various issues plaguing the system and called for significant reforms. Dattijo’s remarks touch on a range of topics, from the concentration of power in the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to financial transparency and concerns about appointments.
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One of the key concerns raised by Justice Dattijo is the considerable power vested in the CJN, particularly in matters related to the National Judicial Council (NJC), Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), National Judicial Institute (NJI), and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), which appoints Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Dattijo highlighted that the CJN has the authority to appoint 80 percent of NJC members and 60 percent of FJSC members, among others.
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He suggested that such immense powers can lead to potential abuses and called for a reduction in the CJN’s authority.
Justice Dattijo expressed his concern about the perceived silence and contentment surrounding the significant salary disparity within the judiciary. He pointed out that the Chief Registrar earns N1.2 million per month, while justices take home N751,000 in a month. This notable difference has raised eyebrows and, as Dattijo indicated, requires addressing.
Judicial Appointments.
The retired justice also criticized the appointment of children of justices as judges, raising questions about the fairness of the selection process. He noted that some appointments appear to give undue advantage to the offspring, spouses, and mistresses of serving and retired judges and managers of judicial offices.
In addition to these concerns, Justice Dattijo mentioned the unpredictability of recent court decisions, including those from the apex court, which he found difficult to comprehend. He pointed out that the judicial pendulum appears to swing differently from the past, which raises questions about the consistency of legal interpretations. He also talked about the judgment of Ahmed Lawan and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
Dattijo also urged for a thorough inquiry into the allocation and expenditure of funds within the judiciary, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. He noted that while a substantial budget of N130 billion was allocated to the judiciary, concerns linger about the welfare of justices and officers.
The retired justice’s remarks shed light on the need for urgent judicial reforms in Nigeria. He highlighted that the judiciary, in its current state, falls short of the standards he witnessed when he first joined the legal system.
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Dattijo’s insights serve as a call to action to address these issues and strengthen the judiciary’s role in upholding justice and the rule of law in Nigeria.
As concerns about the Nigerian judiciary come to the forefront, it remains to be seen how stakeholders and policymakers will respond to the call for reforms and transparency within the legal system.
