Joint Leadership Of NBA Branches In Ogun Writes CJN, Urges Him To Consider Nominees From Ogun Judiciary For Elevation To Court Of Appeal Bench

*Says Last Time Person Was Elevated From Ogun Judiciary Was In
2009

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 Nairalaw, 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.

*Says Last Time Person Was Elevated From Ogun Judiciary Was In
2009

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 Nairalaw, 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.