Contentious Abia High Court Judges Recruitment Exercise Cancelled
The Abia State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has called on candidates to re-indicate interest for the position of High Court Judges in the state’s judiciary.
A non-governmental organization, Access to Justice, had called for immediate cancellation of the judicial recruitment exercise embarked upon by the JSC, pursuant to allegations of corruption surrounding the whole process.
There have been allegations that some members of the Abia State JSC and staff of the state ministry of justice demanded huge bribes to the tune of Fifteen (15) million naira from persons applying for the vacancies in order to recommend them for the positions.
It was 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.
In possible consideration of the call for the cancellation of the exercise and to protect the integrity of the judiciary, the Abia JSC, in a statement dated 15th November 2021 with Ref NO: JSC/S.83/II/131, signed by the deputy secretary of the JSC, Enyinnaya Nwabaghi, canceled the earlier recruitment exercise and called on applicants to re-indicate interest
The call was also made pursuant to Rule 3 of 2014, Revised National Council Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers Of All Superior Courts Of Record in Nigeria, according to Nwabaghi.
Requirements/Competencies
To be eligible to apply for this appointment, the candidate must satisfy the following minimum requirements:-
- Applicant must be a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than ten (10) years with considerable knowledge and experience in the practice of Law.
- Applicant must be of good character and reputation with strong traits of diligence, hard work, honesty, integrity, sound knowledge of law, and consistent adherence to professional ethics
III. Applicant must have;
- a) Active successful practice at the Bar, including satisfactory presentation of cases in court as a Legal Practitioner either in private practice or as a Legal Officer in any Public Service: and/or.
- b) Satisfactory and consistent display of sound and mature judgement in the office as a Chief Registrar or Chief Magistrate, and/or
- c) Credible record of teaching law, legal research in reputable research in a reputable University, and publication of legal works.
Suitably qualified and interested candidates are to forward their applications with requisite qualifications and detailed curriculum vitae to:
The Secretary, Judicial Service Commission,
P.M.B 7220, Umuahia
Abia State.
All applications are to reach the commission on or before the 19th day of November, 2021
TheNigerialawyer
Share your thoughts on the story with Nigerian Sketch in the comments section below.
