Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo lauds Kenya's judicial transformation

Nigeria's Vice-President Prof Yemi Osinbajo. [Photo: Courtesy]

Nigerian Vice-President Prof Yemi Osinbajo has commended Chief Justice Willy Mutunga for spearheading bold reforms in the Kenyan Judiciary.

The VP, who is also a professor of law, said Nigeria was looking up to Kenya for vital lessons in judicial transformation.

Prof Osinbajo made the remarks during a meeting with Dr Mutunga, who arrived in Abuja on Saturday at the invitation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to speak about the Kenya’s experience with judicial transformation.

CJ Mutunga praised the commitment of the new Nigerian government to initiate judicial reforms and fight corruption, which had undermined the rule of law and democracy in Africa.

Mutunga on Saturday presided over a ceremonial event in Abuja between Nigerian judges led by their Chief Justice and Senior Bar Mahmoud Mohammed.

On Sunday, he held a two-hour discussion with the VP Osinbajo, where they addressed a range of issues in his office at Aso Rock. 

On the same day, the CJ delivered the official address at the NBA 55th Annual General Congress. In attendance was Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Osinbajo and over 10, 000 advocates drawn from Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

Dr Mutunga was scheduled to meet with the Nigerian Supreme Court judges and heads of other courts on Monday. He is also set meet leaders of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission and the President of the West African Bar Association.