GOVERNOR of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Friday, said he had no power to unilaterally appoint a judge in the state, declaring that the authority rested with the National Judiciary Council, NJC.
Speaking in Asaba, where he inaugurated three part-time members of the State Judicial Council, Messrs Patrick Oganwu, Peter Wanogho and Francis Omatseye, he said the guidelines and processes for appointment of judges, as well as approval were entirely that of NJC with little input from the executive.
Charging the newly inaugurated members to render quality and selfless service at all times, he said, “Only those who meet the 10 years post-qualification guideline and approved by the NJC will be appointed judges. I have little input on who can be appointed, as the NJC must screen and approve the people to be appointed. I cannot unilaterally appoint anybody as a judge”.
He told them to help “chart a robust Judicial Service Commission, capable of producing judicial officers and staff that will offer to the public transparent and unimpeachable justice”.
While reaffirming government’s support for the Commission and the state’s judiciary in the discharge of their respective functions, Governor Uduaghan assured them of government’s readiness to meet their needs within the limits of available resources.
He commended members of the Commission for their invaluable services and enjoined the new members to improve on the achievements on the ground.
Barrister Patrick Oganwu, who responded on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, commended Governor Uduaghan for the massive infrastructure development in the judiciary in the last two years and assured him of the willingness of members to contribute their quota to the development of the judiciary in the state.
