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Tag: Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

  • Senate panel parleys CJN over bills rejected by Buhari

    A Technical Committee set up by the Senate has engaged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen over 17 bills passed by the National Assembly but to which President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent.

    President Buhari had, in a letter to the Senate, stated that he rejected the bills based on advice he received from the Chief Justice earlier in the year.

    Specifically, the committee sought clarifications from Justice Onnoghen over the nature of advice he offered the President to refuse assent to Judiciary Amendment Bill 2017, No. 22, which seeks to strengthen the judiciary for speedy dispensation of justice.

    In a question to the CJN, the chairman of the committee, Senator David Umoru (APC, Niger East) said, “Your Lordship, this committee on behalf of the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly wants to hear from you directly on why you advised the President refusing assent to the bill.

    “We believe that information made available to us via his letter of refusal to assent to the bills on account of advice given by your lordship is also available to you”.

    However, before the CJN could respond, the chairman of the committee ordered journalists and members of the CJN’s protocol team to leave the venue of the meeting.

    Consequently, journalists could not obtain the details of the CJN’s response, as the meeting.

    Attempts by journalists to get comments from the CJN after the meeting were fruitless as Justice Onnoghen declined comments.

    Read Also: CJN inaugurates new CCT member

    Also invited to the Senate committee hearing were representatives of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and the Post Master General of the Federation.

    The meeting with the representatives was also held behind closed doors. Snippets from the meeting however indicated that discussions centred on how the rejected Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2018 can be redrafted and forwarded to the President for assent.

    President Buhari had, in another letter to the Senate, hinged his decision to reject the bill on the ground that it could impair the implementation of the Federal Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, e-payment programmes and cashless banking policies.

    The said bill proposed the imposition of stamp duties on savings accounts and electronic transactions.

    After the closed session, the chairman of the Senate technical committee hinted that the panel will meet with heads of other government establishments and the Attorney General of the Federation next week, to discuss how to revive the rejected bills.

  • Supreme Court condemns APC, Appeal Court handling of Rivers congresses 

    …Says party’s action condemnable

    …Faults Appeal Court for tolerating APC’s excesses

     

    The Supreme Court came down hard on Monday on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt Division over their handling of the processes leading to the party’s congresses held in Rivers State in May this year.

    A panel of five justices of the court held, in a judgment, that the APC acted in “condemnable, egregious and preposterous” manner by proceeding to conduct its ward, local government and state congresses of May 19, 20 and 21, 2018, respectively, in Rivers State, in disregard of a pending court order restraining it from so acting.

    Read Also:Supreme Court reinstates injunction order against Rivers APC congresses

    The panel headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) said the Appeal Court, Port-Harcourt engaged “a sacrilegious exercise of discretion” by ignoring the doctrine of stare decisis ‎in its June 21, 2018 judgment, given in favour of the APC, despite the party’s decision to conduct its congresses in Rivers State in breach of subsisting orders of the High Court of the state.

    The judgment was on an appeal by 23 APC members, including Ibrahim Umar, David Ndah, Prince Morris, Kudem Bale, and Otokim Jack, who were aggrieved by the outcome of APC’s congresses.

    Justice Centus Nweze, who read the lead judgment, upheld the appeal and proceeded to set aside the June 21, 2018 order of the Court of Appeal, with which it stayed the execution of the May 11 and May 30 orders made by the High Court of Rivers State stopping the conduct of the congresses.

    Justice. Nweze, after reviewing the handling of the case by the Part-Harcourt division of the Appeal Court, said: “Regrettably, the lower court condoned the condemnations, egregious and preposterous approach of the respondent herein (APC).”

    He said the Supreme Court will not support such unruly conduct as exhibited by the APC in Rivers State.

    Jusice Nweze added: “Well, this court (Supreme Court) has a duty to resist this attempt to achieve forensic victory through jiggery-pokery. True to its constitutional mandate, this court cannot lend its weight to this unhealthy approach.

    “Therefore, I have a duty to allow this appeal. Accordingly, I hereby enter an order setting aside the ruling of the lower court delivered on June 21, 2018.”

    Justice Nweze upheld the contention by the appellants that the Appeal Court ought not to have granted the order of stay of execution in favour of APC while the party was still in disobedience of the order of the High Court.

    Justice Nweze noted that on May 11, 2018, “not minding the invasion of the court by hoodlums, an invasion that was charaterised by the destruction of items of the court, the court was still able to deliver its ruling and issued an interlocutory injunctive orders restraining the respondents from conducting its congresses….

    “As if that was not enough, on May 19 and May 20, and May 21, respectively, in notwithstanding the pendency of the injunctive orders, the respondent (APC) went ahead to conduct the ward, local government and state congresses.

    “This defiance has prompted the high court’s order of mandatory injunction of May 30. The restraining order cancels state congresses of May 12, 19, 20 and 21.

    “Despite the subsisting orders of the court, orders of May 11 and 30, the respondent in the most impudent manner, the besieged the  Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division for an entreaty to favour it with an order of stay of proceedings and order of stay of execution.

    “The lower court sitting on both, favoured the respondent, that is, the applicant before it, with an order staying the execution of the ‘order of injunction made by the High Court of Rivers State, Port H in the ruling delivered by Nwogu J, on Friday, May 11, 2018.’

    “The simple truth therefore, is that, when the respondent applied for stay of execution before the lower court, it was in gross disobedience of the positive order of the trial court.

    “From all indications, notwithstanding this unfortunate development, the lower court still found it legitimate to favour the respondent with a positive of order of stay of execution. This was wrong,” Justice Nweze said.

    He faulted the Appeal Court’s failure to abide by the doctrine of “stares decisis” and refusal to subject itself to the Supreme Court’s decision in the case – the Military Governor of Lagos State Vs Ojukwu. He said the Appeal Court, by its conduct, “embarked on a journey of self-immolation and the Japanese ‘harakiri,” a journey, Justice Nweze described as a sacrilegious judicial exercise of discretion.

    He said:  “Indeed, nothing could be a more sacrilegious judicial exercise of discretion than the lower court’s ill-advised embarkation on this ill-fated journey of self-immolation, or what the Japanese call the harakiri, that means suicide, all in an attempt to in an attempt to circumvent the authority of this court.”

    Justice Nweze described the decision of the Appeal Court to disregard the established precedent of the Supreme Court as gross insurbordination.

    He said, “This court (the Supreme Court) is the highest court in Nigeria; its decisions bind every court, authority or person in Nigeria.

    “By the doctrine of stares decisis, the courts below are bound to follow the decision of the Supreme Court. The doctrine is a sine qua non for certainty in the practice and the application of law.

    “The refusal therefore, by a judge of the court below to refuse to be bound by this court’s decision is gross insubordination.”

    Justice Nweze described the attempt by APC’s lawyer, Hakeem Afolabi (SAN) to distinguish the case from the Supreme Court’s decisions in  Military Governor of Lagos State vs. Ojukwu, and Odogu vs. Odogu, as superficially attractive, but feeble.

    He frowned at what he described as APC’s lawyer’s “advocacy style” in the case, and said lawyers must draw a distinction between their role and status as a lawyer, and their political interests.

    Lawyer to the appellants, who are loyal to the Senator Magnus Abe camp of the party, Henry Bello said the imperative of the Supreme Court’s judgment was “a warning to politicians to always be obedient to court orders ahead of 2019 elections.”

    Alleging exclusion, Ibrahim Umar, David Ndah, Prince Morris, Kudem Bale, Otokim Jack and others had, in May 2018 sued the APC and sought to stop the conduct of congresses of the party in the state.

    Upon the plaintiffs’ application, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu of the Port Harcourt Division of the High Court of Rivers State, on May 10, 2011, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the APC from conducting the congresses.

    The party went ahead to conduct the congresses on May 19, 20 and 21.

    This prompted Justice Nwogu to nullify the congresses in his ruling of May 30.

    Dissatisfied with the May 30 ruling of the High Court, the APC proceeded to the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, praying for an order of stay of execution of both the May 11 and May 30 orders of the High Court and an order of stay of proceedings before the said High Court.

    The Court of Appeal on June 21, 2018, granted the APC’s request, a development which prompted the plaintiffs in the High Court to appeal to Supreme Court to challenge the order of stay of execution granted by the appeal court.

  • CJN urges judges to determine political cases on merit

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen Tuesday warned judges to ensure the determination of political cases on the merit and avoid being influenced by extraneous considerations, particularly from politicians.

    Onnoghen also urged judges to shun corruption and other unethical conduct particularly in this era of enhanced political activities. He charged them not to compromise the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary.

    The CJN spoke in Abuja Tuesday at the opening session of the 2018/ 2019 legal year ceremony and annual judges’ conference of the Federal High Court.

    Onnoghen said: “My Brother Judges, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we are all aware of the increase in tempo of political activities as we approach election year. Our nascent democracy has to be nurtured, consolidated and developed.

    “We are working assiduously to ensure that we clean our house, and completely dump the unfortunate toga of corruption that had plagued the Judiciary for some time. With your co-operation and commitment, we shall once again steer this nation to the path of transparency and good governance.

    “At the just concluded 18th Triennial Conference of the Commonwealth Magistrate’s and Judges’ Association (CMJA), held in Brisbane, Australia, with the theme: ‘Becoming stronger together,’ I witnessed collective resolve of judicial officers and Judiciaries of the commonwealth Nations to stem the tide of impunity, bad governance, intimidation of judicial officers and other vices that threaten judicial independence.

    “I was particularly happy that speaker after speaker emphasised the universal truth that, the respect for the Rule of Law remains the backbone and pillar of any democracy. I have maintained this view and re-enforced it at every given opportunity.  We must all therefore seize this pivotal moment of history.

    “I urge you to shun corruption in all its ramifications and encourage the sustainability of your determined effort to promote transparency and good governance in our body polity. I am confident that your efforts in line with the rule of law will stamp out corruption and enthrone an enviable democracy characterized by justice, equity, transparency and good governance.

    “My Lords, as the election year draws closer, your courts will be flooded with applications bordering on pre and post-election matters requiring adjudication. No doubt, election litigation is an inevitable part of the electoral process.

    “While INEC has the responsibility to conduct and manage elections, the Judiciary on its part is charged with the responsibility of resolving disputes arising from the process. We must therefore ensure that matters brought before our courts are determined on their merits, devoid of any external interference, to ensure the sustenance of the independence of the Judiciary.

    “In view of the fore going, there is a proposal for a collaborative Workshop between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for Justices and Judges on Pre-Election and Post-Election matters, the bulk of which are adjudicated upon by Federal High Court judges,” Onnoghen said.

    Earlier, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu -Kafarati told participants that the purpose of the week-long conference is to take stock and appraise the judicial functions of the previous year and to resolve knotty issues that may have arisen after the previous legal year.

    He admonished his brother judges to re-dedicate themselves to the law and Constitution and continue to carry out their functions without fear or favour.

    He restated his earlier directive to judges not to grant ex-parte orders on political cases, “except in very exceptional cases.” He added that it was better to hear all sides before a decision is taken so as to avoid unnecessary controversy in the adjudication process.

    Kafarati stressed the need for judicial officers to be extra careful in handling political cases because of their nature. He added that “actions or inactions by a judge, no matter how honestly done, is capable of misinterpretation.”

     

  • CJN tasks court staff on honesty, integrity

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has asked court’s staff to help change public perception of the Judiciary for the better.

    Onnoghen urged them always put up positive attitude and act honestly at all time.

    The CJN spoke in Abuja on Monday at the opening session of the 2018 national workshop for Chief Registrars, Deputy Chief Registrars and secretaries Judicial Service Commissions/ committee.

    Read Also:How Nigeria’s problems can be solved – CJN

    The event, put together by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), has as its theme: “Applying best practices in court administration.”

    The CJN, who noted the importance of the event’s participants in the operation of the Judiciary, urged them to put it their best to ensure the court continue to give its best.

    Onnoghen said: “It behoves on you to ensure that both Judicial Officers and Court staff work in synergy to ensure that the judiciary continues to function optimally.

    “No doubt, this places onerous responsibilities on your respective capable shoulders.

    “The effective and efficient performance of your duties will enable the judiciary to run smoothly like a well-oiled machine.

    “Consequently, your ever expanding duties require you to become court administrators, taking cognizance the fact that you manage both the human and material resources of the court.

    “Thus, you must be honest and be persons of exceptional integrity.

    “Your actions are like a beacon of light that other staff can aspire to follow upon for guidance.”

    He said the workshop was part of efforts to further empower the court’s staff to enable them contribute their best.

    Onnoghen further explained that the workshop “captures our efforts in ensuring better justice delivery in Nigeria, which has become imperative especially if justice is viewed within the context of service delivery.

    “It also brings to focus the present challenges in court administration.

    “The theme of this workshop underscores the fact that the public perception of the judiciary is largely determined by how we apply best practices in the business of the court.

    “Thus, when the top echelons of the judiciary are properly trained, fully equipped and highly conscientious, then our Judiciary will function optimally and further deepen public confidence in our ability to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

  • CJN frowns at rising case of police detention, extortion

    …Orders inspection of detention facilities

     

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has frowned at the rising cases of unlawful detention, extortion and related acts by security agencies, particularly the police.

    To address the development, the CJN has directed states’ Chief Judges, including that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to detail Chief Magistrates to henceforth, conduct inspection of police stations or other places of detention, other than prisons.

    The directive, the CJN said, is in line with the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), particularly in Section 34 (1) and (2).

    Onnoghen also directed Chief Judges to set up appropriate mechanisms to ensure compliance with the stated provisions of the ACJA on police brutality and inordinate arrests among others.

    The CJN’s Media Aide, Awassam Bassey said, in a statement on Thursday, that the directive is contained in “a Practice Direction issued on June 20 June, 2018 on the role of magistrates in curbing police brutality under the ACJA.”

    Read Also:Killings: Police boss tasks operatives on Vigilance

    Part of the Practice Direction reads: “I have observed, and received several complaints of the horrific incidents of Police brutality, inordinate arrest, detention and extortion of innocent Nigerians by Officers across the country.

    “These incidents have assumed frightening proportions in recent times. The Magistrate Courts are currently overwhelmed with cases of such brutality, inordinate arrests and detention of Citizens.

    “As we approach election year, it is imperative that we curb these excesses through the instrumentality of the statutory powers of the courts.”

    Also Thursday, Onnoghen advocated increased application of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (ADR) by courts.

    He spoke while commissioning the Court of Appeal’s Mediation Center in Abuja,.

    The CJN said it was now necessary the judiciary to deploy multi-modal justice delivery system to ensure speedy determination of cases.

    He added: “It is hoped that this initiative will see the center grow to become a veritable alternative to the rigours of courts.”

    President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, discribed the Court of Appeal Mediation Centre as first of its kind in the entire West African region.

    Bulkachuwa said: “The Court of Appeal’s Mediation Centre would provide a platform that will encourage disputing parties in reaching an expeditious resolution of their disputes in good faith; and in a fair and efficient manner.

    “The Centre will improve access to justice, user confidence in the court system, lighten the Court’s docket and invariably afford the conventional Court ample time for such matters or issues that are best solved through litigation.

    “This is a giant stride in the right direction as Appellate Courts in countries like America, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore, and Mauritius have already achieved phenomenal successes in that regard.

    “I wish to humbly appeal to members of the Bar to give appellate mediation in this court their maximum cooperation. We must bear in mind that our primary objective as officers in the Temple of justice is to do justice; and that justice delayed is justice denied”.

  • 2019 elections: CJN urges judges to be wary of politicians’ antics

    …Regrets Executive’s impunity

     

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has admonished judicial officers to be wary of the antics of politicians as the country gradually moves into another season of intense political activities.

    Onnoghen, who advised them to always be guided by the Constitution, their Code of Conduct and oath of office, warned Justices and judges against yielding themselves and positions as tools for politicians.

    The CJN also regretted the growing impunity in the Executive arm, which he noted, accounts for why some states were reluctant to comply with the constitutional provision for fiscal autonomy for the Judiciary.

    Onnoghen spoke in Abuja on Friday while swearing in 12 High Court judges, recently elevated to the Court of Appeal.

    Read Also:CJN Onnoghen on politicisation of judicial appointments

    He said: “You have to abide by the Constitution and the Code of Conduct, which actually is an extension of the oath of office that you have just taken.

    “When you adhere to your oath of office, the code of conduct, the Constitution and the application of the law to the task before you, and abide by judicial precedent, you will be home and dry. You will continue sleep and snore.

    “You don’t care whose ox is gored, because the law is there to defend you. It is only when you apply short cut that is when you invite problem.

    “Be focus and courageous because you are carrying the whole country on your head in terms of dispensation of justice.

    “It is now time for politics. Things will be done to raise the temperature of this country within and outside of the political space.

    “You have to be very, very careful not be used as a tool. You should be guided by judicial precedent, particularly in election and election related matters,” Onnoghen said.

    He said the responsibility of a judge is to resolve disputes in accordance with the dictate of the law and to always apply the law in resolving cases brought before his court, without bothering who wins and who loses.

    The CJN said the Bill recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari did not just provide financial autonomy to the Judiciary as being erroneously implied. He said the provision has always been in the Constitution.

    He said: “Section 121 of the Constitution has always been there. The only amendment is to bring in the state Houses of Assembly.

    Onnoghen, who read the provision of the Constitution, said “the provision for financial autonomy for the Judiciary has always been there in the Constitution.

    “What has always been the problem is the absence of courage, political will in the Executive arm of government to implement and enforce this provision. That is all. We pray, and will keep on praying that.

    “Some state governments have do the right things, others are ready to do. Those, who are yet to, we encourage them to enforce and implement this provision.

    “This is because the independence of the Judiciary, particularly, it’s financial independence, is the bedrock of democracy itself. We have gone too far to go back.

    “We are under a democratic dispensation, a constitutional democracy for that matter. That is why I keep on saying that the rule of law is the solution to all of our problems.

    “If we operate under the rule of law and are bound by the rule of law, then impunity, which is the bane of our democracy, will disappear.

    “If not for impunity did the Executive not know that the issue of financial autonomy for the Judiciary is a constitutional provision?” the CJN said.

  • Ex- CJN Mohammed loses wife, driver in auto crash 

    The immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed has lost one of his wives and driver in an auto crash.

    The wife, identified as Mrs Hadiza Mahmud Mohammed and the driver, Abdulrauf Salami died on the spot in the Accident that occurred while they were travelling along Abuja – Kaduna road on Tuesday.

    A source close to the family told The Nation that other occupants of the vehicle – a Toyota Land Cruiser – including the ex-CJN’s second wife and a family member sustained injuries, but are now being attended to in a medical facility in Kaduna.

    Read Also:Auto crash: lawmaker loses ten family members

    It was learnt that the late Salami had been Justice Muhammed’s driver for over 25 years now, since his appointment as a High Court judge.

    The cause of the accident, the family source said, is yet to made public by relevant authorities, including the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    Some of the ex-CJN’s colleagues and other judicial officers, both serving and retired, are said to have visited his family house in Kaduna to commiserate with him and other members of his family.

    The Executive Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Ahmed Gambo Saleh was said to have led some officials of the NJC, Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), Supreme Court, among others on a condolence visit to the ex-CJN on Wednesday.

  • CJN condemns attack on courts in Port-Harcourt 

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen has condemned last Friday’s reported attack on courts and judicial workers in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Onnoghen warned that such attach on the Judiciary was not only a signed on grave moral depravity among political actors, but a major threat to the nation’s democracy.

    The CJN however assured that the Judiciary will not succumb to intimidation and was determined, more than ever before, to dispense justice with the required speed, particularly political matters.

    Onnghen, in a statement issued Monday by his spokesman, Awassam Bassey, praised security agencies for preventing a major break down of law and order.

    The CJN said, from report, the Port-Harcourt attack was aimed at stopping the court from sitting and delivering a ruling in an intra-party dispute of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in respect of the Local Government congresses of the party in the state.

    The CJN, who noted with concern that this magnitude of violence could be visited on the Judiciary during a Ward/Local Government intra-party primary election, wondered what the situation would be during the forthcoming general elections in 2019.

    Part of the statement reads: “This latest act of intimidation of the judiciary and the unwarranted violence against a peaceful institution of an arm of government is quite disturbing.

    “More importantly, such show of shame ought not to be encouraged by right thinking members of the Nigerian public.

    f the enemies of our peace and democracy succeed or get away with what occurred at the High Court in Port-Harcourt, it would be a source of encouragement to them to do same to the court of Appeal, and ultimately, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whenever any one of them perceives that a judgment may be delivered against any of them or the interests they represent.

    “The Judiciary remains the last hope of man, and our judges and judicial officers are called upon to remain true to their oath of office.

    “They must remain focused, resolute, and courageous, regardless of the effort at intimidating them.

    “The Nigerian public is urged to continue to have faith in the Judiciary of the nation.

    “Any person with a legitimate complaint against another person, organisation or institution is advised to employ the civilised and legal mode of redress as contained and guaranteed by our Constitution.

    “Whoever is dissatisfied with the outcome of decisions of our courts of law has the right of appeal as constitutionally guaranteed. The Judiciary will never fail in its duties.

    “Violence, the type visited on the Judiciary of Rivers State is alien to any civilised society and therefore condemnable.”

    Read Also: Stop leaking judgments, CJN tells court workers

     

  • Don’t blame judges for delayed cases, says CJN

    ….Says Executive, Legislature could establish special courts

     

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen on Tuesday exonerated judges from being the sole cause of delay in court cases.

    He made the remark while speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the responsibility of investigation and prosecution rest squarely with independent bodies.

    He explained that the responsibility of the judges was to  decide on the cases brought to them.

    To this end, he said, it was unfair to blame judges for not expeditiously trying cases when judges were always seated and ready to listen to cases brought before them.

    The establishment of special courts for speedy adjudication of special cases, he said, was the prerogative of the executive in conjunction with the legislature while the judiciary only provides the manpower to handle the special courts.

    According to him, he was at the State House to facilitate with the President who had returned from the Commonwealth of Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, in London and also to inform him on developments in the judiciary arm of government.

    He said, “I am here to felicitate with Mr. President. As you are aware, he has just returned from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting at the head of federal government delegation and there is also the need for regular interaction to keep him abreast of latest development in the Judiciary.”

    On the claim that the Judiciary was not doing enough to ensure speedy trial of cases, he said, “Now, l believe that you know, with your experience of many years of practice that there has never been situation in which any case was taken to court and decided upon and the Judge was not there to listen to the case. , or having finished hearing, he refused to deliver judgement.

    “So, when cases are not tried expeditiously and the Judge is there, ready to listen to the case, you come and for one reason or the other, you take a date to adjourn the case, and the courts grants the adjournment which is normal during proceedings, you cannot turn round and blame the Judge for that.

    “These are the basic things that everybody must know. We must all work together, cooperate for the system to move forward. But if you keep thinking that the Judiciary is the culprit in this delay process, you are not telling the whole story.

    “It is not the judiciary that would go and arrest someone before looking for evidence, it is not the judiciary that would go into investigations. No, we do not operate the Inquisitional mode of justice as it is practiced by the French. Our own is that an independent body must investigate, prosecute while the judge decides.”

    He also commended the judges for doing good jobs despite some pockets of blames.

    “So far, so good. Under the circumstances, l must admit that so far, so good.

    “It is in order to enable you know the workings of the system that l set up the COMPRECO (Commission for the Prevention of Corruption) committee. All along, everybody is passing buck, left, right and centre. The prosecutor is saying, no it is not our responsibility, we are not the cause of the delay, the investigator is saying l am not the cause, the Judge will say, l am not the cause.

    “So, the people must know who is actually causing the delay that is why l set up that committee. And it is made up of the defense counsel, the prosecutor and the Judiciary under the NJC,” he said

    Speaking on the claim that the judiciary was not on the same page with the executive in the ongoing fight against corruption, he said that the judiciary has good working relationship with other arms of government especially the executive in the fight against corruption.

    He said, “I have answered that before and l still say the same thing. We are on the same page with the Executive as well as the legislature. There are three arms of government and these three arms constitute the government. The government is not only the Executive neither is it the legislature but it is the embodiment of the three.”

    Asked when special courts would be set up to try corruption cases, the CJN said, “It is the Executive that has the prerogative in conjunction with the Legislature to establish courts under our constitution.

    “It is not the duty of the judiciary nor that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. If a special court or any court for that matter the powers that decides to establish them, the Judiciary will run it by providing the manpower required to run it.”

    He said the judiciary was working hard to decongest the nation’s prisons in its prisons reforms even as he noted that the prisons were populated by awaiting trials inmates.

    He said, “You are seeing everything being done on the issue. Next week, we are continuing with our action. But there is something you should know about prison decongestion. Now there is the aspect about the constraints by the physical constraints in respect of the prison itself, how many people were to be contained in one prison, how many were there and how many are there now.

    “Secondly, you should also know that the actual prisoners are fewer compared with the total number you see there which is mainly awaiting trial and that is where the aspect where prison decongestion is working on and l can assure you that this is being handled,” he stated.

    Read Also: Only fit, proper judges will preside over courts – Buhari

  • Ambode inaugurates special courts for corruption, sexual offences

    Ambode inaugurates special courts for corruption, sexual offences

    Governor Akinwummi Ambode of Lagos State Thursday inaugurated special courts for corruption, economic crimes and sexual offences with a charge judges to dispense justice fairly and speedily.

    He told the judges that through this partnership, “your voice to our call to give Lagos a special status of zero tolerance to crime will be achieved”.

    He spoke at the event which held at Rosaline Omotoso High Court Complex, Ikeja.
    Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, also appealed to the bar to ensure swift and seamless prosecution of these offences.

    The governor believed that the creation of the special courts would assist in expeditious prosecution of economic and financial crimes and ensure that justice is attained by bringing offenders to justice without delay.

    Ambode noted that corruption constituted a major challenge to sustainable development of the country and has adversely affected the integrity, image and business confidence of prospective investors.

    He said it is proper to classify Lagos, over 20 million population, as one of the most populous  cities of the world ” and indeed the economic and financial capital of Nigeria and by extension of West Africa.

    “This naturally makes it the most susceptible to perpetrators of these crimes”.
    He said this was why the courts are being designated special courts to focus primarily on effective prosecution of these cases.

    He however pointed out that the goal to make Lagos State a safe place to live, visit and do business can further be achieved if these specialized courts operate as conceptualized “, he said.
    He said: ” these courts are an indication of our commitment at making Lagos uncomfortable for perpetrators of such offences and our judiciary, that has always led the vanguard at combating crimes in its own way, is resolved to discouraged same.

    Lagos state Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke in a welcome address, disclosed that four courts have been set aside as special courts and that as at date, there are over 500 cases of financial crimes and 600 sexual offences pending before the high courts in the state.

    She said the courts were set up following a directive from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to all heads of courts to dedicate some courts to determine corruption and economic crime cases.

    “We believe strongly that the special courts shall fast track the trial of these types of cases and encouraged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant bodies like ICPC to expedite the investigation and prosecution of such cases”, she said.

    Justice Oke described sexual harassment and violence as serious threats and grave danger to women and children all over the world and a crime that has become an epidemic.

    She explained that the inauguration of the Special Offences and Sexual Offences courts was aimed at enlightening and informing the public of the special attention the federal and state courts are prepared to invest in the elimination of the heinous crimes against humanity.

    Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo described as frightening of corruption and sexual offences cases in court.

    “The statistics quoted by the Chief Justice of Lagos is very frightening; it only speaks of half of the true picture.

    “Behind the figures are the faces of the affected women and girls as well as the men and boys.” Osinbajo said.

    Giving examples of real life scenarios of sexual violence,  Osinbajo said that victims of such offences should never be ignored.

    “We should not ignore the trauma and nightmare that sexual offences bring, let us not forget the girls not only in Nigeria but all over the world,” she said.