The Judicial Service Commission, the Apex Body of the State Judiciary, is one of the State Executive Bodies created by virtue of Section 197 part II (C) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
SET GOALS
To have an entrenched and preferred Independent Judiciary
To have a Judiciary that is committed to the Rule of Law
To have a Financially Autonomous Judiciary
To have a Pro-active and Vibrant Judiciary that has Judicial Officers and Staff with proven integrity and impeccable character.
COMPOSITION, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION
Section 197 part II (C) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended established the Judicial Service Commission with the following COMPOSITION and POWERS.
The State Judicial Service Commission shall comprise the following Members:-
The Chief Judge of the State, who shall be the Chairman
The Attorney General of the State (Commissioner of Justice)
The Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the State, if any
The President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the State, if any
Two (2) Members, who are legal practitioners, and who have been qualified to practice as legal practitioners in Nigeria for not less than ten (10) years
Two other persons, not being legal practitioners, who in the opinion of the Governor are of unquestionable integrity.
The Commission shall have power to:-
Advise the National Judicial Council (NJC) on suitable person for nomination of Appointment to the Office of:
The Chief Judge of the State
The Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the State, if any
The President Customary Court of Appeal of the State, if any
Judges of the High Court of the State
Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the State, if any
Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of the State, if any
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution. To recommend to the National Judicial Council (NJC) the removal from Office of the Judicial Officers specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.
Appoint, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over the Chief Registrar and the Deputy chief Registrar of the High Court, the Chief Registrar of the Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal, Magistrates and Judges of the Area Court and Customary Court and all other members of staff of the Judiciary of the State not otherwise specified in this Constitution.
Other Functions:-
In addition to its constitutional powers aforestated, the Judicial Service Commission by virtue of Section 197 part II (b) and (c) of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution also performs the following functions:-
Policy Formulation and Implementation: The Commission is saddled with the responsibility of making policy for the State Judiciary with the sole aim of achieving sustainable growth and development.
Budget: The Commission harmonises the Capital and Recurrent Expenditure of the different arms of the State Judiciary.
Performance Evaluation: Presently the Commission is working out a system of Performance Evaluation for Staff and the Magistracy towards the evaluation of an efficient work force and speedy dispensation of Justice.