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Supreme Court Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, Nigeria
Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Constitutional Mandate

The Federal Judicial Service Commission is a creation of  Section 153(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Section 153(1)

Establishes the Commission as one of the14 Federal Executive Bodies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Paragraph 12 — Composition

Stipulates the Commission's membership, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President of the Court of Appeal, the AGF, the Chief Judge of the FHC, the President of the NIC, two legal practitioners, and two persons of unquestionable integrity.

Paragraph 13 — Powers

Confers power to advise on judicial appointments, recommend removals, and exercise disciplinary control over judicial staff.

Commission Meeting

Composition

As prescribed under Paragraph 12, Part I of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, the Commission is composed of:

1

The Chief Justice of Nigeria — who shall be the Chairman

2

The President of the Court of Appeal

3

The Attorney-General of the Federation

4

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court

5

The President of the National Industrial Court

6

Two legal practitioners (qualified for not less than 15 years), from a list recommended by the Nigerian Bar Association

7

Two other persons, not being legal practitioners, who in the opinion of the President, are of unquestionable integrity

View Current Members

Powers & Functions

The functions of the Commission are clearly spelt out in Paragraph 13 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) which stipulates that the Federal Judicial Service Commission shall have power to:

A. Judicial Appointments

Advise the National Judicial Council in nominating persons for Appointment, as respect to appointment to the office of:




(i)     the Chief Justice of Nigeria,

(ii)   A Justice of the Supreme Court,

(iii)  the President of the Court of Appeal

(iv)   A Justice of the Court of Appeal,

(v)    the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court,

(vi)   A Judge of the Federal High Court,

(vii) the President of the National Industria Court,

(viii)  A Judge of the National Industrial Court, and

 (ix)  the Chairman and Members of the

        Code of Conduct Tribunal

B. Removal from Office

Recommend to the National Judicial Council the removal from office of the Judicial officers specified in 'A. Judicial Appointments'

C. Staff Appointment & Discipline

Appoint, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over the Chief Registrars and Deputy Chief Registrars of the of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court and all other members of the Judicial Service of the Federation not otherwise specified in the Constitution and the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

Also, Paragraph 22, Part I of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic stipulates that the Secretary of the National Judicial Council shall be appointed by the National Judicial Council on the recommendation of the Federal Judicial Service Commission and shall be a Legal Practitioner.