In a move that has stirred controversy, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has reportedly nominated his daughter, Justice Victoria Oluwakemi, for a judgeship position at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. This nomination follows earlier appointments of family members to various judicial positions, raising concerns about nepotism within the judiciary.

Documents obtained by PeoplesGazette and insights from judiciary sources have shed light on the nomination process. In July 2023, the CJN successfully secured the appointment of his son, Ariwoola Olukayode Jnr, as a judge of the Federal High Court. Additionally, the CJN facilitated the placement of his younger brother, Adebayo Ariwoola, as the auditor of the National Judicial Council, while his nephew, Lateef Ganiyu, received a recent promotion to the appeal court.

Human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu, who has been monitoring nepotism in the judiciary, revealed that the CJN’s relatives occupy various positions within the judicial bureaucracy. This development has raised concerns about the perception of the judiciary’s independence and fairness.

The CJN’s daughter, Justice Victoria Oluwakemi, is said to have been nominated after the FCT Chief Judge, Husseini Baba-Yusuf, communicated the availability of 12 new positions in the FCT High Court. The nominations were expected from the CJN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau.

The Gazette reported that checks revealed Oyo, with two existing judges on the FCT High Court, was included in the list of states to nominate candidates, even though other states with no representation were excluded. Critics argue that this move was orchestrated to facilitate the appointment of the CJN’s daughter.

A source within the judiciary expressed concerns over the nomination, highlighting that Justice Victoria Oluwakemi has only three years of experience as a junior magistrate. The source revealed discontent among judiciary workers and suggested that the CJN’s influence in securing positions for family members may lead to further internal discord.

Baba-Yusuf has not responded to requests for comments, but an anonymous court official acknowledged potential challenges in navigating the controversy, emphasizing the chief judge’s efforts to avoid further disputes. The official suggested that a meeting with aggrieved colleagues might be convened to address concerns and seek understanding on the matter.