The National Judicial Council (NJC) has expressed strong reservations about a proposed bill that seeks to empower the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to sanction and remove corrupt judges.
The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on March 25, 2025, aims to amend the 1999 Constitution and introduce provisions for the removal of corrupt judges from the judiciary.
According to the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, the Constitution clearly places the responsibility of disciplining judges in the hands of the NJC.
Ogedengbe emphasized that sanctioning a judge is a process governed by specific procedures, including presenting evidence against accused judges.
The NJC argues that the proposed bill violates constitutional provisions and procedural requirements.
Ogedengbe questioned the practicality of the NBA taking on such responsibilities, citing potential biases and conflicts of interest.
The NJC emphasized that public hearings and stakeholder input are crucial in determining the viability of the proposed amendment.
The NJC’s rejection of the bill highlights the need for careful consideration and adherence to constitutional provisions.
As Ogedengbe noted, “This is just the beginning of the conversation. Whether this bill can effectively curb corruption remains to be seen”.