NJC Opposes House Bill Granting NBA Power to Sanction Judges, Cites Constitutional Violations and Risk of Abuse
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has raised concerns over a proposed constitutional amendment by the House of Representatives that seeks to grant the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) the power to sanction and remove corrupt judges.
On March 25, 2025, the House passed a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution, allowing the NBA to receive and review petitions against judicial officers, consider their defense, and take disciplinary action if necessary.
Reacting to the bill, NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, questioned its legality, emphasizing that the Constitution assigns the responsibility of disciplining judges to the NJC. She stressed that removing a judge requires due process and credible evidence, warning against potential abuse if the NBA were to assume such powers.
Ogedengbe further highlighted the role of public hearings and stakeholder engagement in determining the bill’s viability. She noted that corruption does not occur in isolation and questioned whether lawyers themselves might be complicit in judicial misconduct.
“The bill still has a long way to go, passing through the Senate and state Houses of Assembly. Whether it will effectively curb corruption remains to be seen,” she stated.
The NJC maintains that any amendments must align with constitutional provisions to ensure transparency and fairness in judicial discipline.
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