Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, a judge of the Federal High Court, has shed light on the significant political influence involved in securing a position as a federal judge in Nigeria. Speaking at the 2024 Clarity Conference in Abuja on Saturday, Justice Segun-Bello disclosed that attaining such a judicial appointment typically requires backing from either the presidency or a major political party.
As the keynote speaker at the conference, themed “The Constellation: Gathering of Stars, By Stars and For Stars,” Justice Segun-Bello shared her personal experiences and the hurdles she faced on her journey to becoming a federal judge. She emphasized the challenging and politically charged nature of the process.
“If I tell you where I come from, two things will happen: you will either think I’m lying or start crying. And remember, I’m not just a state judge; I’m a federal judge,” she said. “To become a federal judge, you need the backing of the presidency or support from a political party. I had neither. This goes to show that principles, when applied universally, can make anything possible.”
The event’s convener, Atuzie Tuzzi, explained that the Clarity Conference was organized to help young people navigate from the ideation phase to implementation, particularly those who struggle with feelings of inadequacy due to their background or educational experiences.
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