Some lawyers in Lagos State have commended the directive given by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) that judges are to write examinations before future appointments.
The CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, gave the directive at the inauguration of 12 new judges appointed for the Federal High Court on May 28.
Lauding the idea, Adole Adah, a lawyer, said that it would make the judges brace up for their duties.
According to Adah, as administrators in the temple of justice, there was need for the judges to be astute in their dealings since they dealt with human lives.
The lawyer noted that every umpire must be in tune with latest laws and developments, so as not to be left behind with the ever changing developments in the country and the world.
Adah said that if judges were appointed indiscriminately, it would be difficult to tell if a judge was vast in court procedures or not.
Felix Iyamu, on his part, said that making the judges to take examinations would sharpen their horizon and make them fit for whatever position they would be given.
He explained that it was important for judges to sit for compulsory examinations, adding that their final selection for the position should be based strictly on merit.
Iyamu blamed the delay in the administration of justice and disposal of cases on the way such cases were handled by the judges.
“Every judge will cherish his position and be versatile in his dealings if he is made to write a compulsory exam before his appointment,” he said.
Edwina Ajayi opined that the examination criteria for appointment was long overdue, adding that if such appointments were made rigorously, it would assist in choosing the most suitable judges to man the courts.
She expressed dismay over the attitude of some judges and magistrates toward cases pending before their courts, saying that they exhibited laxity in handling cases.
“Sometimes these judges give unnecessary series of adjournments and you find out that the case makes no progress at all,” she said.
Ajayi added that some of the judges become so lazy early in the day and would resort to adjourning cases without cogent reasons.
She urged the judiciary to apply the examination criteria to select reputable and trustworthy members to the bench.
