The leaders of the five Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ogun State, namely, Shagamu, Ota, Abeokuta, Ilaro and Ijebu ode branches, have appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mohammed Tanko, to consider applicants from Ondo State Judiciary for elevation to the Court of Appeal Bench.

In a letter date the 17th day of February, 2021, addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and jointly signed by their Chairmen and made available to ASKLEGALPALACE, the Branches lamented that since 2009, no Judge from Ogun State Judiciary has been elevated to the Court of Appeal

According to them, the only serving Court of Appeal Justice of the Court of Ogun Origin was serving outside Ogun State Bench prior to his elevation

They said, “The very last time that a Judge from Ogun State Judiciary benefited from the exercise of elevation to the Court of Appeal was in 2008 when Justice Lokulo-Sadipe was elevated and appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.”

“It is imperative to stress further that as at today, the only indigene of Ogun State on the Court of Appeal Bench right now, was appointed from outside the Ogun State Bench.”

“It follows that since 2009, no Judge from the Ogun State Judiciary has been elevated to the Court of Appeal. Yet, we make bold to say, most respectfully, that we have some of the most hardworking and upright Judges in this Country in the Ogun State Bench.”

Furthermore, the Branches expressed displeasure over the disqualification of the only candidate from Ogun Bench who was not even placed on reserve list at the recent screening

They conceded that though an Ogun Judge serving in another jurisdiction is entitled to be considered, however, according to them, is demoralizing not to consider those serving in Ogun Bench

The letter reads in part, “To our shock, we found, from the list that is in public domain that the Judge whose name appears on the list sent to the NJC, as representing Ogun State is again from outside the Ogun State Judiciary.”

“While it is conceded that an indigene of the state serving in another Jurisdiction and qualified, is entitled to be considered, we submit very respectfully, that it is most unfair and very demoralizing, for Judges in Ogun State Judiciary to be consistently overlooked in preference for those from.other Jurisdiction, when it is not the case that those from Ogun State have been found wanting in character, learning, or experience, but are in fact, able and deserving in every sense”. The letter reads in part.