The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammmad has tasked Judges to see Adminstration of Justice as one of the fundamental solution to crises facing African Nations.
The Chief Judge made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of 61st edition of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. Annual General Conference, which is currently taking in Portharcourt, Rivers State.
Justice Tanko maintained that the peace of every country rests on the balance of the scale of justice, stressing that Courts must to ensure that justice is served at all times, irrespective of the pressures from where soever.
Justice Muhammmad who was represented by Justice Mary Odili maintained that ”
Some of these challenges are within our immediate control and we are doing all our best to tackle them.
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” At the swearing in of Justices of the Court of Appeal in July this year, I warned the Justices against the temptations that come with some cases and warned against putting their integrity to doubt.”
” I must however not shy away from stating that not all the challenges that the Judiciary face can be internally addressed.
“Some demand the Support ot the Bar for their actualization. One of them is the poor Condition of service of national judicial officers” He said.
The CJN earlier stated on the struggle carried out by some members of the Bar towards the actualization of Nigerian Justice System.
In his speech, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State commended President of the NBA Olumide Akpata and his entire Members for participating in the Conference which according to him Rivers has been hosting for the second time under his watch as a Governor.
The Governor maintained that Rivers State has severally identified with and responded positively to the requests of the NBA with friendship and respect.
” One thing is clear: the legal system remains a key factor in our collective drive for socio- economic progress and it is only an unserious government that can elect to politicize the judiciary and expect meaningful development to take place.”
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Governor Wike lamented the Federal Government stance on financing Judiciary, emphasizing that Executive Order 10 has been an oppressive erosion of the powers and autonomy of the sub-national government to administer their own judicial budget, according to prevailing economic indices.
” The Federal Government cannot continue to undermine the welfare of the country’s judicial officers with poor remunerations and attract the best hands and excellence into our judicial system.” Wike lamented
” Since the birth of this nation, Nigerians have relied on the law and our legal system to settle disputes, prevent crime, promote democracy, protect human rights and regulate virtually all aspects of both private and public life”
“Unfortunately, the NBA becomes part of the problem when it remains discomfortingly indifferent and cowardly voiceless to the many issues and challenges affecting good governance, democracy, the legal system and the rule of law in our country.”
” Taking the lead therefore is to transform and reform the NBA to an activist association willing and ready to use the law to advance the values and aspirations of our profession and the progress of society as a positive social force for change with courage and determination.”
Also speaking, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, represented by his deputy Senator Omo-ovie Agege said that the theme of this year’s conference was timely, as the National Assembly has taken the lead in enacting the laws to give legal backing to some of the provisions of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Simon Lalong of Plateau State attended the opening ceremony of the conference.
Others including Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by Chairman House Committee on Judiciary Hon.Inefiok Luke, Dr. Bukola Saraki, former senate President, among many other prominent Nigerians
