NBA Asks Lawyers To Apply To Be Supreme Court Justices; South-east Has Two Slots

By Gideon Njoku

The Nigerian Bar Association has asked qualified Lawyers who desire to be appointed to the Supreme Court to apply.

This is as a result of the vacancies that exist in the number of Justices at the Apex Court. There are vacancies for six Justices.

The vacancies are a consequence of retirements and deaths.

The South-east zone, whose daughter, the Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili is the second highest ranking Justice in the country has two slots out of the six.

Justice Peter-Odili, whose two daughters, Njideka and Chinelo are, following in her footsteps, Judges of the High Courts of FCT and Rivers State, respectively, is billed to retire in May 2022 when she will be 70 years old. Both daughters were appointed Judges in the later months of 2021.

Other Zones which have slots are:

*South-South- one.

*South-west – one.

*North – central- one.

*North-west – one.

A notice by the NBA, which was made available to BarristerNG, asked qualified Lawyers to send in their expression of interest.

Conditions, however, apply, including being a full financial member of the NBA for 10 years and submitting 10 “judgments delivered in contested cases the applicant conducted in the five years preceeding 2022, certified by competent authorities for Legal Practitioners in private practice, among other tough conditions.

Those interested are required to submit their expression of interest to: The President Nigerian Association on, or before 21st February 2022.

Following is the notice asking those interested to apply. It is dated 7th February 2022.

“Dear Colleagues,

RE: APPOINTMENT OF SIX (6) JUSTICES FOR THE SUPREME COURT BENCH: CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Federal Judicial Service Commission has, by a letter dated 19th January, 2022, called for nomination of suitably qualified persons for appointment to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to fill six present or imminent vacancies.

“The slots available for nomination are:

(a) Two slots for the South-East geo-political zone.

(b) One slot for the South-South geo-political zone.

(c) One slot for the South-West geo-political zone.

(d) One slot for the North-Central geo-political zone.

(e) One slot for the North-West geo-political zone.

“Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from the geo-political zones listed above who are suitably qualified and are interested in applying for appointment to the Supreme Court Bench are enjoined to submit an expression of interest to the National Secretariat of the NBA on or before 21st February, 2022 addressed to:

“The President

Nigerian Bar Association

c/o Grace Igyo, Esq.

Head, Legal Services Department

Nigerian Bar Association

National Secretariat

Plot 1101 Cadastral Zone A00

Central Business District

Abuja.

All expressions of interest should include the following attached thereto:

“1. A copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae;

2. A copy of the applicant’s Call to Bar Certificate;
3. Evidence of payment of Bar Practicing Fees (BPF) for the past 10 years;
4. Evidence of payment of NBA Branch Dues for the past 10 years;
5. Evidence of attendance at Conferences of the NBA;
6. Evidence of membership of Sections or Fora of the NBA;
7. 10 Judgments delivered in contested cases the applicant conducted in the 5 years preceding 2022 certified by competent authorities for Legal Practitioners in

Private Practice; and

8. A letter of good standing from the Chairman of the applicant’s Branch confirming

that he or she possess the qualities set out in Rule 4(4)(1)(a), (b) and (d) of the NJC’s Guidelines for the Appointment of Judicial Officers for Superior Courts of Record.

“For the avoidance of doubt, these qualities are reproduced hereunder:

“In all cases:

1. a) Good character and reputation, diligence and hard work, honesty, integrity and sound knowledge of law and consistent adherence to professional ethics; as may be applicable:
2. b) Active successful practice at the Bar, including satisfactory presentation of cases in Court as a Legal Practitioner either in private practice or as a Legal Officer in any Public Service;
3. d) Credible record of teaching law, legal research in a reputable University and publication of legal works …”

Upon receipt of the expressions of interest, the National Secretariat shall publish the names of the interested candidates and request comments thereon from members of the NBA.

“For further enquiries, kindly call the following numbers: 07039084181, 07034631029 and 08065901348.

“Kindly note that ONLY APPLICATIONS FROM MEMBERS IN THE SHORTLISTED ZONES will be attended to.”

Usually, Justices of the Supreme Court, except on rare occasions, are elevated from the Court of Appeal.

Most very senior high profile  Lawyers are usually reluctant to go to the Bench.

They make more money as Lawyers than those on the Bench – Justices of the Supreme Court or not.