A Federal High Court judge, Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, has revealed that political factors, including support from the presidency and affiliations with political parties, often influence promotions within Nigeria’s judiciary.
At the 2024 Clarity Conference in Abuja on Saturday, Justice Segun-Bello stated, “To become a federal judge, you need the backing of the presidency or support from a political party.”
I had neither the backing of the presidency nor a political party. This shows that principles when applied universally, can make anything possible, she claimed.
Justice Segun Bello’s disclosure Ads weight to the concerns about the independence of the judiciary. Recall that West Africa Weekly have previously shared instances where high-ranking judicial officials, including Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, have allegedly promoted their relatives. This often happens at the expense of other qualified professionals.
In a related development, a July report from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that judges and magistrates were the most bribed public officials in Nigeria in 2023, surpassing even the police, customs, and military personnel.
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