The House of Representatives’ proposal to limit the tenure of Nigeria’s Chief Justice and other court heads to five years has faced backlash from legal experts, who argue the current system is effective and does not require alteration.
Key Points:
The bill, introduced by Manu Soro, seeks to amend the Constitution to impose a five-year, non-renewable term for heads of courts, after which they would either return to their previous roles or retire.
Critics, including Nigerian Bar Association spokesperson Bridget Edokwe, argue the proposal is unnecessary and risks undermining the judiciary’s stability.
Concerns include potential politicization of appointments, inequities among states appointing younger judges, and complications from health or competence issues during fixed terms.
Lawyers emphasize that the current retirement system based on age or years of service ensures efficiency and professionalism.
The proposal, aimed at enhancing service motivation, is seen by many as a flawed solution that could introduce more challenges to Nigeria’s judicial system.
Peoplesmind
