TOWARDS a corruption-free judiciary, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Ilorin Chapter, Mr. Wahab Egbewole has canvassed prompt sanitization of the Bar, and the reviewing of the appointment of judges.
Egbewole, in a chat with The Guardian at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, believed that there could not be a corrupt bench without a corrupt bar, adding that the trend if left unchanged, could portend grave danger for the nation's judicial system.
According to the NBA official, who is also the Head, International Law, Facility of Law, University of Ilorin, "it is important to call attention to the fact that a corrupt Bench is an indication of a corrupt Bar.
He added: "This is because the trend is of graduation from the Bar to the Bench. It must, however, be emphasised that in a general sense, there is no corrupt Bench, but rather existence of corrupt elements on the Bench. This can, however, be reversed if the procedures for appointing judges are reviewed.
Egbewole while reiterating the determination of the local NBA to rid its bench of corrupt elements, urged every stakeholder in the judiciary to exhibit courage by exposing judges with "reputation of corruption."
He noted: "In the same vein, the procedure for appointment must be re-examined. The era of flaunting of Curriculum- Vitae (CV) and of lobbying by would-be judges should come to an end".
"The system should on its own identity materials, for that honourable and distinguished office."
Believing that the Bar is usually the wisdom in an environment of congested courts, the teacher of Law urged the recently inaugurated Civil Procedure Rules Review Committee in the state to adopt the trend as one of its reference points.
"As the last hope of the common man, our judges must remain incorruptible in order to command the respect of all those appearing before them. I dare say that our colleagues who are aspiring to the Bench must take the profession as their commandment and covenant with God and the people of Nigeria".
"The MBA has resolved to take the bull by the horn by fighting corruption in our judicial system. Physicians must first heal themselves. We shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that our system is cleansed of this cankerworm. Our branch should not be found wanting in this noble project he added.