The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Judiciary

  • Jonathan challenges Judiciary

    Jonathan challenges Judiciary

    The Judiciary  has been urged to embark on a comprehensive reform  to enhance capacity, efficiency and productivity.

    President Goodluck Jonathan spoke  at the opening of a Federal High Court, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday. He  said this was one of the challenges the Judiciary has to overcome.

    Represented by Akwa Ibom  State  Governor Godswill Akpabio, the president challenged the Federal Court to meet the demands of prompt justice administration and strenghten the faith of Nigerians in the Judiciary.

    Jonathan said: ‘’It is the sacred duty of the Judiciary to help ensure stability within the polity through the promotion of the Rule of Law, strict guardianship of the Constitution, and constant and unfailing application of the principles of justice. The Judiciary cannot afford to compromise the essential principles set out in our Constitution to ensure justice for all Nigerians irrespective of their political disposition, tribe and race.

    ‘’One issue of constant concern to all our compatriots is that the wheel of justice, still grinds rather slowly in our courts. It is instructive, however, that the Federal High Court, has committed itself to turning the wheel faster and this we applaud and hope you will devote time to in your conference. Rest assured that we are prepared to support all efforts to enhance the dispensation of justice.”

  • I won’t allow interference in Judiciary, says CJN

    I won’t allow interference in Judiciary, says CJN

    •Falana, Jacobs, Ananaba, Mogaji, others now SANs

    Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar yesterday promised progressive revolution in the judiciary.

    She also vowed to resist interference from other arms of government by upholding the rule of law and strict adherence to the Constitution.

    The CJN spoke in Abuja at the Special Court Session to mark the beginning of the 2012/2013 legal year, and the swearing-in of 25 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

    She said the judiciary would continue “to retain its place as the last bastion of what is good, decent and Godly about humanity.”

    Besides, she said, the judiciary under her leadership will serve as a check on other arms of the government by interpreting the Constitution to determine their “extent and scope of powers and whether any action of any arm of government transgresses such limits.

    “It is the judiciary which has to ensure that the law is observed and that there is compliance with the requirements of law on the part of the government. Our courts should be Independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law, which they apply impartially, without fear, favour and prejudice. Without judicial independence, there can be no preservation of democratic values.”

    The new SANs are Human Rights Activist Femi Falana; former Dean of Faculty of Law Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George; Ekiti State Attorney General Akinlaja Dayo Moses; Rotimi Oluseyi Oguneso and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs.

    Others are former Plateau State Attorney General, Professor Dakas James Dakas, Mrs. Joy Adesina, Mrs. Connie-Jean Aremu, Adekunle Theophilus Oyesanya, Henry Ogbodu, Paul Ananaba, Solicitor of Babcock University, Ilishan, Remo, Ogun State; Francis Chuka Agbu, and Ahmed Raji.

    There are also Ogwu James Onoja, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, Selekeowei Larry, Aliyu Umar, Illo Katune Sanusi, Oluseye Samuel Opansanya, Garba Tetengi, Abeni O. Mohammed, Aduroja Oluwamuyiwa, Charles Obishai, Ndukwe Nnawuchi and Luke Chukwudi Ilogu.

    Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Isiaka Ajimobi (Oyo); former CJN S.M.A Belgore and deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama among others, attended the ceremony.

    Lamenting that there are an estimated 40,000 prisoners in Nigeria with about two-thirds of them not convicted, the CJN said the judiciary alone cannot ensure speedy trial without the prosecuting agencies playing their role.

    “The court cannot on its own prosecute criminal cases, there must be the willingness of all prosecuting agencies to prosecute cases brought before our courts especially high profile cases of corruption and all others”, she added.

    The CJN commended states that have introduced alternative punitive measures like community service, non- custodian sentences and probation, to decongest the prisons.

    “Implementation of these policies will no doubt be of great benefit to the government and the society at large,” she said.

    The CJN who promised speedy dispensation of justice in this legal year, also identified inadequate funding as one of the major problems confronting administration of justice.

    She regretted that the situation leaves judges at the mercy of state executives and politicians.

    “Unlike the federal judiciary that enjoys 90% of financial independence, inadequate funding and inaccessibility to funds appropriated to states’ judiciary in the budget, is a bane of administration of justice.

    “This situation calls for mutual and progressive partnership with the executive with a hope to finding a lasting solution to this lingering menace,” Justice Mukhtar stated.

    The CJN urged the new SANs to conduct themselves in line with the principles of the rule of law firmly anchored on the fundamental values of society.

    Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Wali (SAN) called for a review of the criteria for the selection of new SANs.

    He said the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) should include the NBA President as a member.

    Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), commended the apex court for “profound judgments and rich jurisprudence”.