Odinkalu stressed that the rule mandating such screenings was instituted in 2022 by former Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and has governed SAN conferment in 2022, 2023, and 2024 without objection.
He argued that Akinboro’s assertion that SAN elevation is solely a professional recognition and immune from security oversight is “factually inaccurate.”
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Odinkalu said: “These people are short of candour. The rules requiring screening of SAN candidates by DSS, EFCC, and ICPC were made by Olukayode Ariwoola in 2022. They governed SAN conferment in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Rather than object, folks saw them and applied.”
He also highlighted what he called a double standard, noting that judicial nominees similarly undergo DSS screening.
He questioned why only SAN candidates are now being contested, asking, “Why are they objecting to the screening of SAN candidates by SSS? What do they have to hide?”