Retired Supreme Court Justice, William Atuguba says that appointments to the judiciary or any other governance institution must be made solely by independent bodies based on merit.

The former justice contends that such appointments must be devoid of protocol, cronyism, ethnicity, or other improper considerations.

While speaking at a public lecture titled “Protecting Our Democracy: The Role of the Judiciary,” Justice Atuguba advocated that the judiciary must be realistically insulated against presidential and other political pressures.

He stated, “It should be noted, however, that Presidents in the Fourth Republic have not considered themselves bound by the advice of the Judicial Council in relation to nominations for appointment to the Supreme Court. Presidents have on occasion refused to accept some nominees recommended by the Judicial Council. Presidents thus have ample opportunity to influence the nominations of the Judicial Council.”