The National Judicial Council (NJC) is a statutory body established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to oversee the appointment, discipline and removal of judicial officers in Nigeria. The NJC is composed of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the Chairman, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Chief Judge of the High Court of a State, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Attorney-General of a State.
The NJC has the power to recommend to the President the appointment of persons to the offices of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court, Justices of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Judges of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of a State, Judges of a State High Court and the appointment of the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Judge of a State.
The NJC also has the power to discipline judicial officers, including the power to remove them from office. The NJC may remove a judicial officer from office on the ground of misconduct or inability to discharge the functions of his office.
The NJC is a powerful body and its decisions are final. There is no appeal against the decisions of the NJC.
The Second Administrative Reform Commission (ARC) was established in 2001 by the Federal Government of Nigeria to review the structure and functions of the Federal Government. The ARC made a number of recommendations for the reform of the judiciary, including the following:
- The establishment of a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in each State.
- The appointment of the Chief Judge of a State by the Governor on the recommendation of the JSC.
- The appointment of Judges of a State High Court by the Governor on the recommendation of the JSC.
- The removal of a judicial officer from office by the NJC on the recommendation of the JSC.
The ARC also recommended that the NJC should be made more independent and that its decisions should be subject to judicial review.
The Federal Government accepted most of the recommendations of the ARC and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) was established in each State. The Chief Judge of a State is now appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the JSC. The Judges of a State High Court are now appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the JSC. The removal of a judicial officer from office is now by the NJC on the recommendation of the JSC.
The NJC is now a more independent body and its decisions are subject to judicial review.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Second ARC Recommendations have had a significant impact on the judiciary in Nigeria. The NJC has become a more independent body and its decisions are now subject to judicial review. The ARC Recommendations have also led to the establishment of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in each State and the appointment of the Chief Judge of a State by the Governor on the recommendation of the JSC. The Judges of a State High Court are now appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the JSC. The removal of a judicial officer from office is now by the NJC on the recommendation of the JSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the National Judicial Council (NJC)?
The National Judicial Council (NJC) is a statutory body established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to oversee the appointment, discipline and removal of judicial officers in Nigeria.
- What are the powers of the NJC?
The NJC has the power to recommend to the President the appointment of persons to the offices of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court, Justices of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Judges of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of a State, Judges of a State High Court and the appointment of the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Judge of a State.
The NJC also has the power to discipline judicial officers, including the power to remove them from office. The NJC may remove a judicial officer from office on the ground of misconduct or inability to discharge the functions of his office.
- What are the recommendations of the Second Administrative Reform Commission (ARC) on the judiciary?
The ARC recommended that the NJC should be made more independent and that its decisions should be subject to judicial review. The ARC also recommended that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) should be established in each State.
- What has been the impact of the NJC and the ARC Recommendations on the judiciary?
The NJC has become a more independent body and its decisions are now subject to judicial review. The ARC Recommendations have also led to the establishment of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in each State and the appointment of the Chief Judge of a State by the Governor on the recommendation of the JSC.