NBA Alleges Discriminatory Criteria In Judges’ Appointments

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi Branch, has called on the judicial authorities in the state to review the process for the appointment of new High Court Judges following concerns over the recently issued public notice by the State Judicial Service Commission.

The association said the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission published a Public Notice with Reference Number BAS/JSC/S/APP/3/VOL.III dated April 27, 2026, titled: “Appointment of Seven (7) High Court Judges (Five Females and Two Males) for Bauchi State, 2026.”

According to the NBA, the notice, which was also communicated to the leadership of the Bauchi Branch through an official letter of the same date, generated concerns among members of the association due to what they described as gender segregation in the appointment process.

In a press statement issued yesterday in Bauchi, the chairman of the NBA Bauchi branch, Barr. Rabi’u Garba, said the development appeared discriminatory and contrary to the provisions of Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He stated that the association was compelled to intervene in order to ensure fairness, equity, and strict adherence to constitutional provisions in the exercise.

The association called on the Chairman of the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission and Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, to review the entire arrangement in line with the resolutions reached by the Congress of the association.

The NBA further appealed to the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to take note of the concerns raised and act appropriately to prevent what it described as a dangerous precedent within the judiciary.

The association maintained that appointments into the judiciary should be based strictly on integrity, competence, capacity, and professional capability, irrespective of gender.

It also called for a transparent and inclusive process accessible to all qualified aspirants in accordance with Section 271(3) of the Constitution, stressing that qualified legal practitioners from both the private and public bar should not be excluded from the exercise.

Barrister Garba argued that justice would be better served through a level playing field that allows all qualified candidates to demonstrate their competence during the selection process.

“The state stands to benefit ultimately. A vibrant judiciary produces the best judges and lawyers, while an intellectually weak and dormant judiciary produces the opposite,” he added.

The NBA, however, commended the Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, for securing the seven appointment slots for the state, noting that as an association committed to the promotion of the rule of law, it could not remain silent where it believes constitutional provisions may be breached knowingly or otherwise.

The association expressed optimism that the Judicial Service Commission would respond positively to its demands, warning that failure to address the concerns could compel it to take further steps in pursuit of justice and fairness.