By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher,  yesterday, unveiled plans by the Federal Judicial Service Commission, FJSC, to review procedures for the appointment of judicial officers in the country.

The CJN, who made this disclosure while commissioning the newly constructed office complex for the FJSC in Abuja, said it was imperative that the procedure is re-appraised “with a view to ensuring that knowledgeable persons of unquestionable integrity are appointed to the Bench.”

He said: “It would be recalled that in my speech at the special session of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to mark the commencement of the legal year on September 19, 2011, I mentioned that the Federal Judicial Service Commission, among others, shall be restructured and repositioned to improve their capacity to meet their constitutional and statutory roles.

“In this regard, a proposal is in the offing to amend the constitution to increase the membership of the commission to enhance its efficiency. In line with my reform agenda to restructure the commission, new departments and units will be created to cater for the new challenges facing the commission.”

Meanwhile, according to Secretary of the FJSC, Mrs. Bilkisu Bashir, the new complex which is located beside the Supreme Court, have been equipped with security gadgets such as CCTV cameras, walk-through metal detectors and fire fighting equipment.

FJSC is one of the 14 Federal Executive Bodies created by section 153(1) of the 1999 constitution, as amended. The commission has nine members including the CJN who is the chairman.

It has the statutory responsibility of advising the National Judicial Council, NJC, in nominating persons for appointment as judicial officers to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court and the Chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

It equally recommends the removal from office of such officers, as well as appointing, dismissing and exercising disciplinary control over staff of the aforementioned organs of the judiciary.