Appointment of judges now more transparent, says CJN

By Kunle Sanni –

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said that the process of appointing judicial officers in the country is now more open and transparent than ever before.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, who also chairs the National Judicial Council (NJC), made this known while presenting 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.

She noted that at its 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, the NJC approved a landmark policy requiring the publication of names of candidates being considered for judicial appointments. The new policy also invites members of the public to provide feedback—whether objections, information, or endorsements—before appointments are finalized.

According to the CJN, the initiative is designed to strengthen accountability, improve public trust, and align Nigeria’s appointment procedures with global standards, including the Constitution Hill Guidelines on Apex Court Appointments. Released in September 2024, the guidelines outline baseline principles for selecting justices of apex courts as guardians of constitutional interpretation and democratic governance.

Justice Kekere-Ekun revealed that Nigerians are already taking advantage of the policy, citing the last round of judicial appointments where public input was recorded. She emphasized that in a diverse country of over 200 million people, visible representation on the Supreme Court bench fosters confidence and assures citizens that the judiciary reflects the society it serves.

While acknowledging the progress made, the CJN admitted that challenges still exist in the judicial appointment process despite ongoing reforms.