KEY POINTS
- CJN witnesses launch of N50B housing for judges, sparks public debate.
- SANs defend CJN’s role, saying he is only invited to public events by his colleagues in the judiciary.
- Critics say judicial involvement puts powers of the executive up for grabs, but SANs disagree.
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere–Ekun has received strong support from many Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) after attending a foundation laying ceremony for N50 billion housing project exclusively provided to judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory.
The project that is funded by the government and overseen by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, is a 40 apartment unit housing for judges, a project stoking controversy over judges’ involvement in executive projects.
Housing project launch supported by senior advocates
The CJN’s presence is within her duties to support judicial infrastructure without compromising independence, Professor Yemi Akinseye George, SAN argued. “One needs inter agency support for good governance, independence is a state of mind” he clarified.
According to former NBA President JOC Okocha, SAN, judiciary provided Judicial facilities are the norm and doesn’t compromise the impartiality.
Public debate of CJN’s role questioned by critics
According to Vanguard, The project enjoyed widespread support from senior legal figures. However Prof. Chidi Odinkalu said he worried about the timing of the judiciary’s relationship with the executive.
Judicial ethics were cited by Odinkalu who said the perception of independence by the public is critical. But, while other SANs like Chief Mike Ahamba and Prof Awa Kalu think the criticism was uncalled for, they also see nothing wrong in the CJN being at ground zero when the project launched.
