FHC New Legal Year: Acting CJ Wants FG To Appoint More Judges

Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John
Tsoho,on Monday urged Federal Government to appoint more judges to
the Federal High Court.

Justice Tsoho during the special session to mark the
commencement of federal high court 2019/2020 legal year in Abuja,
said that this will help reduce the work load of judges.

He said that the federal high court judges were over burdened
with workload in the out gone legal year.

Reviewing the just ended legal year, Tsoho said 116,623 cases
were pending at the high court, 16,144 filed in a quarter, while
12,692 were disposed off.

He said that the records was evident that judges were over
burdened with work in the last legal year.

“We therefore need to engage more judicial officers to help
out.

“However, it does appear that there was no provision for
appointment of judges in the current budget.

“I will make efforts to discuss with relevant stakeholders to
see to the possibility of facilitating the recruitment of more
judicial officers in the course of the year,” he said.

Justice Tsoho noted that training of judges and staff of the
judiciary to enhance professionalism was of paramount interest to
the judicial authorities.

He said that the judiciary will work with the legislature and
the executive to entrench constitutionalism in the federal
judiciary.

He further disclosed that the federal high court now has amended
civil procedure rules 2019 which came into force on the 10th day of
May, 2019.

“The new rules contain certain innovations to meet with the
dynamism in law and to bring the court at par with other courts in
the developed world.

“Some of these include affidavit of non multiplicity of actions;
Order 3 Rule 9(2)(d),a reinforced interpretation of the Territorial
Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, such that no leave is
required for service of process anywhere within the federation
(Order 5 Rule 31).” he said.

Me Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of
the Federation (AGF), urged judges to maintain credibility to
foster and promote public confidence in court judgments.

He said it was only through the promotion of these values that
the greatest heights in legal profession could be achieved.

Malami said that the pivotal role played by the Federal High
Court by virtue of section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) makes this Court unique and
distinct from other Courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

In light of the amended constitution, he urged the court as part
of the judicial arm of government, to remember that it is the
anchor upon which our legitimate claim to a civilized society rests
and revolves.

The president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro,SAN,
said that the public perception of judiciary as reflected in a
public opinion poll recently published was not inspiring or
favorable.

“There is urgent need to build confidence in the judiciary as
the last hope of the common man,” he said.

Represented by Mr Effiong Bassey, he urged the leadership of the
court to ensure that judges were protected from undue harassment,
intimidation,insecurity and threats to their lives and tenure.

He said that Judges should be given every facility to perform
freely and to the best of their abilities and in reciprocation,
Judges must live above board, discharge the functions of their
office appropriately

Police Resolve Hausa-Fulani Rivalry in Zamfara
State

In continuation with the ongoing peace and reconciliation
initiative being headed by the Commissioner of Police Zamfara State
Command CP Usman Nagogo, two warring groups of Fulani and Hausa
Community from Gwalli and Makaranta Villages of Gummi LGA were
assembled at the Palace of Emir of Gummi Alhaji Lawal Hassan Gummi
OFR.

The reason for this initiative was to address the existing
rivalry/dispute through peace dialogue and reconciliation so as to
avoid unwarranted loss of life and property.

In his remarks, CP Usman Nagogo who presided over the meeting
called on the two warring parties to voice out their grievances in
order to address them ones and for all. He enjoined them to respect
the resolutions reached during the meeting by accepting the peace
truce and also avoid whatever that will break down law and order in
Gummi and Zamfara in General.

The CP assures them that, the ongoing peace initiative is being
carried out with all sense of sincerity and Justice to all the
parties. He thanks the Emir for his continued support and
cooperation to the peace initiative.

In his welcome address, the Emir of Gummi Alhaji Dr. Lawal
Hassan Gummi OFR, commended the Commissioner of Police for his
untiring effort in the restoration of lasting peace in Zamfara
state. He promised the CP of his Emirate’s continued collaboration
and assistance to the ongoing state government commitment of
ensuring peace and tranquility in the state.

During the meeting, all the warring parties were given equal
opportunity to voice out their grievances. To this end, important
issues were extensively deliberated, and all the warring group have
unanimously agreed to forgive and forget for lasting peace not only
Gummi but in the entire state and environ.

The same peace building interaction will be extended to other
Emirates in the state .

SP Mohammed Shehu,
Police Public Relations Officer,
Zamfara State Command