Anti-Graft War: Judiciary Facing Enormous Scrutiny, CJN Warns Judges

As the federal government drags more judges to court on
corruption related charges, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN,
Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Monday, decried that the Judiciary was
being subjected to “enormous scrutiny”.

The CJN, who spoke at an induction course for newly appointed
Judges and Kadis, held at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in
Abuja, said the scrutiny was from both within and outside
Nigeria.

Consequently, he urged Judges across the federation to shun all
forms of judicial malpractice capable of exposing the Nigerian
judiciary to public opprobrium.

The CJN enjoined the newly appointed Judges to acquaint
themselves with modern ICT tools, as well as encourage the use of
Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, mechanism, especially in the
resolution of commercial disputes brought before their courts.

Noting that the new Judges assumed office at a time the Nigerian
judiciary is facing turbulence, the CJN, said the onus rests on
them to justify the confidence and trust reposed in them by the new
positions they occupy.

He said: “The theme for this year’s Induction Course ‘Including
Judicial Excellence in the Newly Appointed Judicial Officers’, is
indeed germane and of immense relevance as you were appointed at a
time when the Judiciary is facing enormous scrutiny from both
within and outside.

“You will observe that the world is transmuting at a very high
speed, as such the Judiciary cannot afford to be left behind.
Therefore, Judicial Officers at all levels (more especially the
newly appointed Judges and Kadis) must imbibe positive attitudes
and ideas that will enhance the administration of Justice in
Nigeria, which will consequently result in Judicial excellence.

“Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism has become more vital
especially in resolving commercial disputes.

“One crucial area which poses serious challenges to the
administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria, is attributed
to delay in court proceedings/trial.

“This is occasioned basically by unnecessary adjournment of
cases, non-availability of accused persons/witnesses in court. With
the passage of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015,
these challenges are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

“I therefore implore you all to acquaint yourselves wit the
provisions of the Act (ACJA) to enable you keep abreast of current
trends in criminal justice administration.

“Let me also use this medium to implore stakeholders at the
state level to utilise the ACJA, by adopting it; as this will go a
long way in eliminating delays.

“My Lords, distinguished participants, you must hold yourselves
to a high and Impeccable moral standards as provided by the Code of
Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.

“Mastery of the Rules of this code will no doubt preserve the
independence and dignity of the Judiciary”, the CJN added.

In her welcome address, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice
R.P.I. Bozimo, said the induction course was designed to take the
newly appointed Judges and Kadis through the rudiments of Judicial
Ethics and Comportment.

“My Lords, at its finest, the judicial office offers its
privilege of placing Judicial officers on higher pedestal to sit in
adjudication over disputes that are brought by litigants.

“Let me use this medium to caution you to refrain an shun all
forms of corrupt practices”.

Meanwhile, among participants at the induction course included
nine newly appointed Judges of the Gambia who are in the country to
understudy the Nigerian Judicial system.

As the federal government drags more judges to court on
corruption related charges, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN,
Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Monday, decried that the Judiciary was
being subjected to “enormous scrutiny”.

The CJN, who spoke at an induction course for newly appointed
Judges and Kadis, held at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in
Abuja, said the scrutiny was from both within and outside
Nigeria.

Consequently, he urged Judges across the federation to shun all
forms of judicial malpractice capable of exposing the Nigerian
judiciary to public opprobrium.

The CJN enjoined the newly appointed Judges to acquaint
themselves with modern ICT tools, as well as encourage the use of
Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, mechanism, especially in the
resolution of commercial disputes brought before their courts.

Noting that the new Judges assumed office at a time the Nigerian
judiciary is facing turbulence, the CJN, said the onus rests on
them to justify the confidence and trust reposed in them by the new
positions they occupy.

He said: “The theme for this year’s Induction Course ‘Including
Judicial Excellence in the Newly Appointed Judicial Officers’, is
indeed germane and of immense relevance as you were appointed at a
time when the Judiciary is facing enormous scrutiny from both
within and outside.

“You will observe that the world is transmuting at a very high
speed, as such the Judiciary cannot afford to be left behind.
Therefore, Judicial Officers at all levels (more especially the
newly appointed Judges and Kadis) must imbibe positive attitudes
and ideas that will enhance the administration of Justice in
Nigeria, which will consequently result in Judicial excellence.

“Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism has become more vital
especially in resolving commercial disputes.

“One crucial area which poses serious challenges to the
administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria, is attributed
to delay in court proceedings/trial.

“This is occasioned basically by unnecessary adjournment of
cases, non-availability of accused persons/witnesses in court. With
the passage of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015,
these challenges are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

“I therefore implore you all to acquaint yourselves wit the
provisions of the Act (ACJA) to enable you keep abreast of current
trends in criminal justice administration.

“Let me also use this medium to implore stakeholders at the
state level to utilise the ACJA, by adopting it; as this will go a
long way in eliminating delays.

“My Lords, distinguished participants, you must hold yourselves
to a high and Impeccable moral standards as provided by the Code of
Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.

“Mastery of the Rules of this code will no doubt preserve the
independence and dignity of the Judiciary”, the CJN added.

In her welcome address, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice
R.P.I. Bozimo, said the induction course was designed to take the
newly appointed Judges and Kadis through the rudiments of Judicial
Ethics and Comportment.

“My Lords, at its finest, the judicial office offers its
privilege of placing Judicial officers on higher pedestal to sit in
adjudication over disputes that are brought by litigants.

“Let me use this medium to caution you to refrain an shun all
forms of corrupt practices”.

Meanwhile, among participants at the induction course included
nine newly appointed Judges of the Gambia who are in the country to
understudy the Nigerian Judicial system.