Body of Benchers raises peace panel as Supreme Court justices fight CJN

Following the rift between the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, and 14 Supreme Court Justices over welfare and administrative issues, the Body of Benchers has set up a seven-man committee to look into the matter.

The Chairman, Body of Benchers, Wole Olaonipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told The PUNCH on Tuesday that the committee is headed by a former CJN, Mahmud Mohammed.

He said, “We held an emergency meeting today (Tuesday) and for now, we have set up a Body of Benchers Judiciary Advisory Committee. It will be a standing committee of the Body of Benchers and the Chair of the committee is Justice Mahmud Mohammed, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“I am a member and the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers is a member and four others. We are swinging into action. We are talking to parties concerned, individually and collectively.

“For now, we are advising that they should sheath their swords. The immediate objective of the committee is to resolve the impasse while the ultimate objective is to work out an acceptable package for judicial officers all over the country, particularly judicial officers in superior courts.”

Olaonipekun also disclosed that the committee would work to improve the welfare package for judicial officers in the country.