Lawyers Back CJN’s Directive For Judges To Write Exams

The directive given by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) that judges are to write examinations before future appointments has been commended by some lawyers in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, gave the directive at the inauguration of 12 new judges appointed for the Federal High Court on May 28.

Mr. Adole Adah, who lauded the new idea, said that it would make the judges to brace up to their duties.

Adah said that as administrators in the temple of justice, there was need for the judges to be astute in their dealings since they dealt with human lives.

He said that every umpire must be in tune with latest laws and developments so as not to be left behind with the ever changing development in the country and the world.

Adah said that if judges were appointed indiscriminately, it would be difficult to tell if a judge was vast in court procedures.

Mr. Felix Iyamu said that making the judges to take examinations would sharpen their horizon and make them fit for whatever position they would be given.

Iyamu said that gone were the days when judges were appointed on the basis of nomination without knowing if they were truly knowledgeable.

He said that it was important for judges to sit for compulsory examinations, adding that their final selection for the position should be based strictly on merit.

Iyamu blamed the delay in the administration of justice and disposal of cases to the way such cases were handled by the judges.

“Every judge will cherish his position and be versatile in his dealings if he is made to write a compulsory examination before his appointment,“ he said.

Mrs. Edwina Ajayi said that the examination criterium for appointment was long overdue, adding that if such appointment was made rigorously, it would assist in choosing the most suitable judges to man the courts.

She expressed dismay over the attitude of some judges and magistrates toward cases pending before their courts, saying that they exhibited laxity in handling cases.

“Sometimes these judges give unnecessary series of adjournments and you find out that the case makes no progress at all,“ she said.

Ajayi said that some of the judges became so lazy early in the day and would resort to adjourning cases without cogent reasons.

She urged the judiciary to apply the examinations criteria to create reputable and trustworthy members of the bench.