Onnoghen: 20 SANs move to reform judiciary

Twenty Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have commenced moves to reform the judiciary, to restore public confidence, following the crisis engendered by the charges preferred against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

In a statement posted on social media, Jibrin Okutepa listed the lawyers involved in the reform as: Ebun Sofunde, Kayode Sofola, Kola Awodein, Ademola Akinrele, Eyimofe Atake, Olufunke Adekoya, Oluwafemi Atoyebi, Yemi Candide-Johnson, and Olasupo Shasore.

Others are: Dr Babatunde Ajibade, and Osaro Eghobamien, Babatunde Fagbohunlu, Wemimo Ogunde, Jibrin Okutepa, Olumide Sofowora, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, Olatunde Adejuyigbe, Dr. Adewale Olawoyin, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, and Oyesoji Oyeleke.

The lawyers aim to achieve consensus and reform in the justice delivery processes such as: the composition, constitution, functions and internal controls of the National Judicial Council, the process for the appointment, continuing education and promotion of judicial officers, the process for the discipline and regulation of judicial officers, the terms and conditions of service of judicial officers and the judicial ethics, values and the relationship of the Bench with the Bar.

They also want to reform the process for the appointment of lawyers to the Body of Benchers, the composition, constitution and internal control of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, the process and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the role and responsibilities of Senior Advocates of Nigeria as leaders of the Bar, the regulation and discipline of Legal Practitioners, ethics, values and standards of legal practice, and the composition, constitution and internal control of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association.