Judicial accountability panel proposes two-level election litigation system and unbundling of Chief Justice's office
The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel IJAP has recommended a two-level system for election litigation concerning National Assembly and governorship elections, with appeals concluding at the Court of Appeal, except in specific circumstances. The panel, chaired by retd. Justice Mojeet Owoade, suggested that a five-member panel at the Court of Appeal should hear these cases, with an option for appeal to the Supreme Court only with the latter's leave. IJAP also renewed its call for the unbundling of the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to decentralize power and enhance transparency within the judiciary, proposing deputies for all heads of courts with clearly defined roles. Additionally, the panel proposed a five-year restriction on former Independent National Electoral Commission INEC officials from engaging in partisan politics after their service. It advocated for constitutional recognition of independent candidacy to reduce "godfatherism" and increase electoral participation, while also calling for constitutional amendments to allow citizens to initiate public interest litigation regarding breaches of the Electoral Act and the constitution during elections. These recommendations emerged from IJAP's fifth session in Abuja, following interactions with the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Prof. Dakas Dakas.
