Judicial reforms: CJN wants life appointment for S'Court justices

THE Chief Justice ofNigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musda-pher, on Thursday, bared his thoughts on the expected reforms in the judiciary, saying that justices of the Supreme Court should hold their appointment for a lifetime, as obtained in the United States of America (USA).Nigerian Tribune had exclusively reported plans to constitutionally extend retirement age of the apex court justices from 70 to 75 years.Also in the thinking of the CJN, serving judges might not be the appropriate persons to handle election petition cases.His suggestion did not provide an alternative, though he noted that he was transmitting the ideas to the 28-member Judicial Reform Committee, set up to proffer ways of doing things differently in the justice sector.Musdapher spoke while delivering the 2011 Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Lecture, entitled The Nigeria Judiciary: Towards Reform of the Bastion of Constitutional Democracy.Seven Nigerians and foreigners, including a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, were conferred with the fellowship of the institute at the event.Lamenting the state of the judiciary, under a sub-heading Things Fell Apart: Context and Challenges, Musdapher said 'it is regrettable that some chief executives treat the judiciary as an appendage of the executive arm. While it is true that, in some cases, this is self-inflicted, because of the way some judges portray themselves.'Speaking on behalf of other awardees, Ojo said 'we shall continue to diligently commit ourselves to uplifting and impacting our noble profession, by seeking ways of transforming the justice system to the desirable highest standard that command respect and admiration.
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