NJC Rejects Bill Seeking To Empower NBA To Sanction Judges

• NJC opposes a bill seeking to empower the NBA to sanction corrupt judges.
• NJC says disciplining judges is a constitutional process requiring solid evidence.
• The bill still requires Senate and state assembly approval, with public hearings pending.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has opposed a proposed bill by the House of Representatives seeking to grant the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) the authority to investigate and sanction corrupt judges.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

• BREAKING: Ibok-Ete Ibas Appoints Professor Worika As Rivers SSG
• FG Calls for Alignment of Education Projects with National Priorities
• Tinubu Launches Nigerian Youth Academy to Equip Young Population

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the bill, passed by the House on March 25, 2025, aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow the NBA to receive petitions against judicial officers, review their defense, and take disciplinary action where necessary.

Reacting to the development, NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, questioned the feasibility and legality of the proposal, emphasizing that the Constitution vests the power to discipline judges solely in the NJC.

In an interview, Ogedengbe stressed that disciplining a judge is a constitutional process requiring credible evidence.

“The Constitution places the discipline of judges in the hands of the NJC, and it follows a strict process. If a judge is accused of corruption, there must be concrete evidence. You can’t just make allegations without proof,” she stated.

Ogedengbe also raised concerns about the potential for abuse if the NBA were given such powers.

“The question is, who are those corrupting the judges? Crimes don’t occur in isolation—there are always accessories. Are these accessories members of the public, lawyers, or other professionals? What if they are lawyers themselves?” she asked.

She further noted that the bill must pass through the Senate and all 36 state Houses of Assembly before becoming law, stressing that public hearings and stakeholder input would play a crucial role in its fate.

“No constitutional amendment bypasses public hearings. Every stakeholder will have a say, and only then can we determine if this proposal will succeed. A law is not a good law until it is perfected,” she added.

The debate over judicial accountability continues, with critics arguing that granting the NBA disciplinary authority could compromise judicial independence, while proponents see it as a necessary step in curbing corruption in the judiciary.

FURTHER READING

• PDP Considers Coalition, Sets Conditions For Atiku, Peter Obi, El-Rufai
• Yellow Aboki, Close Ally of Late Bandit Kingpin Bamamu, Eliminated in Zamfara
• ‘We Inherited a Mess’ – Ratcliffe Criticizes Man United Players

Watch Our Video Of The Week