NBA SPIDEL Condemns Obaseki’s Refusal To Swear In Judges

Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, refused to swear in judges recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment in the state, according to the Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA – SPIDEL), which has been characterized as an abuse of office and a violation of constitutional rights.

The eight judicial officers who have been appointed since June 2023 must be confirmed right away, according to SPIDEL’s Chairman John Aikpokpo-Martins and Secretary Funmi Adeogun.

“Swearing in these Judicial Officers is a constitutional duty, not one that the Governor of Edo State may do at his or her discretion,” according to the constitution.

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Therefore, the statement read, “The continued delay in swearing in the new judicial officers is an abuse of power and an outright disregard for the provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 (as amended) Constitution.”

According to SPIDEL, Obaseki’s failure to swear in the judges has harmed the justice delivery system within the state, according to the provisions of section 271(2) of the Constitution. He also claimed that the current lack of judges to handle the growing number of cases has put a heavy burden on the existing jurists.

The designated judicial officers’ financial resources have also been severely hampered by this delay, as they are all currently stumbling around without any means of support for themselves or their families due to their inability to practice law as a result of their appointment as such.

“In light of the aforementioned, SPIDEL categorically requests that Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State, swear in the Judicial Officers designate.” In order to prevent the Edo State justice delivery system from being completely destroyed, we hope that the Governor will act appropriately and carry out his constitutionally mandated duties.

Source: Channels TV