A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Anthony Idigbe, has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to enhance the capacity of judicial officers.

He also urged her to evolve measures to attract the very best into the justice delivery system.

The SAN said: “The key issue is for the CJN to work on the people and the process of justice delivery in Nigeria.

“If she can focus on that, she will make a significant impact. The emphasis should be on the people, and the process.”

He said the CJN should first work on ways to “retain those that are there, enhance their capacity, and work on how to attract the very best.”

Idigbe said: “I think part of the biggest problem in the judiciary is that it is not able to attract the best.

“For the process, there is the need for reform in calendering, case management and so many other areas.

“There are some fundamental reforms that need to be considered around the administration of justice generally. Some are constitutional, but some can be done through the reform of the regulation of the profession, among others.”

Idigbe said he agrees with the CJN’s position that it is inappropriate for lawyers to express opinions on cases pending in court, noting that there is a common law principle of sub-judice.

He said there should be a way to balance the right of the people to know what goes on in court with the need not to express opinions on pending cases.

The Guardian