Nigeria’s House advanced a bill Tuesday to amend the 1999 Constitution.
The legislation targets judicial corruption through stricter accountability measures.
Sponsored by lawmaker Afam Ogene, the bill empowers the Nigerian Bar Association to investigate judicial misconduct and corruption allegations.
Specifically, the NBA would receive petitions, evaluate defenses, and conduct no-confidence votes against accused officers during annual meetings.
If two-thirds of NBA members approve a no-confidence vote, the judicial officer would automatically resign from their position.
This process bypasses the National Judicial Council, which Ogene criticized as ineffective in addressing systemic corruption within courts.
Ogene stated, “This bill provides an alternative constitutional mechanism to discipline corrupt officers, moving beyond the NJC’s outdated role.”
The proposed amendments affect sections 231, 238, 250, 256, and 271, targeting roles like the Chief Justice and federal judges.
State-level High Courts and the FCT’s High Court judges would also fall under these new accountability measures.
Among 40 bills passed for second reading Tuesday, this proposal stands out for its potential judicial reform impact.
Supporters argue involving the NBA, an independent legal body, could enhance transparency and rebuild public trust in the judiciary.
Critics, however, caution against granting the NBA excessive influence, fearing conflicts of interest in appointment and dismissal processes.
They question whether a professional association should wield such power over judicial tenures without checks and balances.
The bill now proceeds to committee stages for detailed scrutiny, including public hearings and stakeholder consultations.
This legislative effort aligns with broader attempts to tackle Nigeria’s entrenched judicial corruption, often criticized for delaying justice.
Recent public dissatisfaction with court inefficiencies and alleged bribery has intensified calls for systemic overhauls in legal institutions.
If enacted, the bill would mark a historic shift in holding judges accountable through external professional oversight.
Legal experts debate the practicality, noting potential resistance from judicial bodies accustomed to self-regulation via the NJC.
Nonetheless, proponents emphasize that restoring faith in Nigeria’s judiciary requires bold, innovative approaches to combat corruption effectively.
The ongoing legislative process will test lawmakers’ commitment to reforming a system long plagued by credibility challenges.
