NIGERIAS TOO MANY CHIEF JUSTICES At the rating we are going,we wl soon have the worlds highest turnover of Chief Justices.In its over 200 yrs as an independent nation,the United States of America has had only 17 Chief Justices.Contrast that with Nigerias 54 yrs existence as a country but with 14 Chief Justices.Ours is not an enviable record.It affects stability in the judiciary as no CJN stays long enough to stamp his mark on the system.One even served for only 6 months.Yes.The new CJN has less than 3 yrs in service! The Supreme Court of Nigeria is patterned after that of the US.But in the US,appointment of CJ is not by elevation.In fact,of its 17 Chief Justices so far,only 4 were elevated to that position,late Chief Justice William Rhenquist being the last of such elevations.There is nothing in the Nigerian constitution that insists on elevation to the position of CJN.The only constitutional requirement is a 15 years post-call experience.So,why not go for a younger lawyer/judge as CJN? In US,just two Chief Justices -John Marshall & Roger Thaney -occupied that office for a combined period of 63 years under 15 different Presidents-frm John Adams to Abraham Lincoln.Americans dub that period as The Marshall-Tharney Hegemony.Chief Justice John Marshall was CJ for 35 yrs.He wrote and delivered judgmnts that hv reverbrated around the world & which principles are stl in use till this day.The immidiate past CJ of US,late William Rhenquist,occupied that office for 17yrs.It is no suprise that the US Supreme is the worlds best. Americas current Chief Justice,John God Robert,was the presiding officer of th Court of Appeal,DC Circuit,Americas second most important court.Robert was also a part time Law lecturer at the University of London.He was appointed CJ by Prez Bush (43) over and above sitting associate justices of the Supreme Court.Robert is in his late 50s & wl hold that office for life (DuringGood Behaviour). The recommending & appointing authorities must review the current practice of appointing CJN.They should look beyond the Supreme Court bench.There are young lawyers & judges who can do the job superbly if given the opportunity.The current practice doesnt pay off.And I dont support it.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 07:12:31 +0000
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