The National Judicial Council (NJC) has expressed strong concerns about a recently passed bill by the House of Representatives aimed at empowering the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to sanction and remove corrupt judges.
On March 25, 2025, the House of Representatives approved a proposal to amend the 1999 Constitution, which would allow the NBA to receive petitions against judicial officers, assess their defense, and take further action.
However, the NJC has raised significant questions about the legality and feasibility of this move.
Kemi Ogedengbe, the Deputy Director of Information at the NJC, stated, “The constitutional requirements place the discipline of judges in the hands of the NJC… If a judge is deemed to be corrupt, you can’t just put up a statement that a judge is corrupt. It must be backed up with evidence.”
Ogedengbe further questioned the practicality of the NBA taking on such responsibilities, pointing out the potential for abuse: “Who are those corrupting the judges? A crime does not occur in isolation; there are always accessories. Who are these accessories? Are they members of the public, lawyers, or medical doctors?”
The NJC also emphasized that the bill must undergo rigorous scrutiny, including public hearings and input from various stakeholders.
Ogedengbe added, “This is just the beginning of the conversation. Whether this bill can effectively curb corruption remains to be seen.”
The bill will now proceed to the Senate and the 36 state Houses of Assembly for further ratification, where public hearings will take place to assess its viability.
The NJC maintains that any changes to the constitution must align with the existing framework for disciplining judicial officers.
