Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Uju Nwogu says for the Nigerian judiciary to be truly independent, nepotism, tribalism and other considerations associated with the appointment of Judges must be replaced with fair, standardized and transparent system of selection and appointment, among other things.
She said without being independent, the judiciary cannot offer the checks and balances needed to curb excesses of other arms of government, as well as serve the interest of the masses.
Addressing a gathering of judicial officers in Awka, Dr Nwogu also noted that regardless of how transparent and effective judicial selection process, or how financially autonomous the judiciary is, it will amount to nothing if the other arms of government fail to abide by and enforce judicial decisions, since the judiciary has no constitutional enforcement power.
She noted with concern that the level of independence the judiciary enjoys in Nigeria is dependent on the will, aspirations and dispositions of the other arms of government and described the passage of judiciary autonomy bill into law in Anambra as a bold step towards enhancing justice.
Dr Nwogu called on all to summon the willpower to do the right thing, including obeying judicial decisions; irrespective of the inconveniences or difficulties.
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