Liborous Oshoma, a Nigerian lawyer and political analyst, has underscored the politicization of the judiciary in Nigeria. He cited a recent example in which judges screened by the Edo House of Assembly and the National Judicial Council (NJC) were not sworn in by the governor, ostensibly due to reasons known only to him.
He argued that the appointment of judges being susceptible to political influence allows politicians to exert control over the judiciary. He argued that the solution lies in insulating the judiciary from political interference, particularly in matters related to elections. By removing the court from pre and post-election matters, he suggested that the judiciary can regain its independence and perform its constitutional role without fear or favor.
He said in an interview with Arise TV from. 7:50, ‘The appointment of judges is largely and highly politicized and influenced. And so, because politicians are interested, they know that these people will determine whether they stay in office or not. So, the first step is that they want to influence who gets there. Judges were screened by the Edo House of Assembly and the NJC, but the governor said, “No, I will not swear them in.”
Probably due to reasons best known to him. So, these are some of the challenges in the judiciary, and the politicians have also muted the idea of judicial independence. We need to find a way to remove the court from pre and post-election matters. Once you are able to do that, then this unnecessary interference in the judiciary will no longer be there. But as long as judges have a say in who occupies any office, there will be a lot of complications.”