By Editor

*Demands For Removal, Prosecution Of Members Involved *Call For Close Monitoring And Supervision Of Subsequent Appointment

Access to Justice has called for immediate cancellation of the Judicial recruitment exercise embarked upon by the Abia State Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Convener, Joseph Otteh and the Project Director Deji Ajare

The group made this call following allegations of corruption surrounding the recruitment exercise.

Recall that the Media was awash with alleged reports that some members of the Abia State JSC and staff of the State Ministry of Justice demanded huge bribes from persons applying for judicial vacancies in the State’s High Court, in order to recommend them for the positions. At present, the Abia State JSC has reportedly shortlisted fifteen (15) candidates out of one hundred and eighty-two (182) who applied for ten (10) vacant positions.

The list is reported to have been forwarded to the National Judicial Council (“NJC”).

According to the reports, a “syndicate” of the Abia State JSC alongside officials of the Abia State Ministry of Justice approached the candidates demanding a bribe of Fifteen (15) Million Naira to facilitate the inclusion of their names in the NJC shortlist. It is also reported that a female magistrate who participated in the examination mortgaged her family house to raise money as demanded, and, thereafter collapsed and died on learning subsequently that the bribe was not a guarantee for a successful application.

Reacting to the report, Access to Justice Noted that these allegations, as far as they can ascertain, have not been denied by the Abia State Judicial Service Commission.

Access To Justice also stated that these allegations have grievous consequences for the integrity of the judicial selection system established by the NJC, and shows how the system can potentially be outwitted and its outcomes grievously corrupted by insider dealings.

The group further pointed out while this may be the first publicly reported case alleging extortion by, or bribery of members of a Judicial Service Commission, it could also point to the possibility of past occurrences that have gone under the radar.

It also noted that 2014 Judicial Appointment Guidelines needs to be urgently revised and its vulnerabilities plugged

In the light of the facts above, Access to Justice urges the NJC to immediately;

“Cancel the process associated with the selection of candidates for appointment as high court Judges undertaken by the Abia State Judicial Service Commission given the scandalous allegations of corruption leveled against the Commission.

“Empanel a Committee to thoroughly and promptly investigate the allegations of corruption surrounding the selection exercise, examining whether anyone subject to the disciplinary control of the NJC was implicated in, or had knowledge of the extortion allegedly committed by members of the Abia State JSC;

“Demand the removal and prosecution of any members of the Abia State JSC where the Committee substantiates the allegations of extortion by them;

“Ensure that any subsequent judicial appointment exercises in Abia State, and indeed all other States of the Federation, are closely monitored and supervised, and, for that purpose, insist that an external, independent body be tasked with the responsibility of evaluating the results of any tests conducted on the candidates applying for the high court vacancies in Abia State.”