Olisa Agbakoba, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has criticised the current state of the Supreme Court.
Agbakoba characterised the present judiciary institution as the “worst” he has encountered throughout his 45-year legal career.
Speaking at an event commemorating the 61st birthday of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and attended by notable political figures, including President Bola Tinubu and members of the National Assembly, Agbakoba recounted his experience applying for a position on the apex court’s bench.
He revealed facing rejection, attributing it to what he described as a “mafia” faction within the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) expressed his discontent, urging immediate reforms in the country’s judicial system.
He urged the National Assembly to take decisive legislative action, distinguishing between the areas of the administration of justice and judicial administration, stressing the need for specific laws governing the appointment process for senior judges.
His words:
“We still mix the administration of justice, which the National Assembly cannot interfere with, with judicial administration, which the National Assembly can make laws.
“There should be a law governing the appointment process of senior judges. We can’t leave it to the National Judicial Council. What the constitution says is that once you are 15 years, you are qualified.
“But the National Judicial Council and Supreme Court judges have formed a mafia, and we don’t get there.
“With the greatest respect, this is the worst Supreme Court I have seen in my 45 years of practice.
“It has to change. A challenge for the National Assembly to enact a law that deals with judicial administration.
“I did not say administration of justice; you can’t go there because that is the internal workings of the judiciary, but judicial administration, the national assembly can make laws.
“You pass a law so that I don’t depend on the Chief Justice of Nigeria if I want to be a judge; the law will be passed stating the criteria to become a judge.”