Buhari Commissions Industrial Court Annex Building, As Court President Appeals To Buhari To Appoint More Judges – TheNigerialawyer

The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria,
Babatunde Adejumo, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to
allow the appointment of more judges in the country.

Mr Adeyemo made the call in Abuja at the inauguration of the
annexe building of the headquarters of the court. The event was
attended by President Buhari, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko
Muhammed; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss
Mustapha; and other top officials from the three arms of the
government.

Mr Adejumo said the appointment of more judges would enable for
speedy dispensation of justice, as many cases are pending before
the over 1,000 judges in the country.

“As we speak, we have 1,200 justices and judges all over the
country, starting from the Supreme Court to the trial courts and
this is why people believe strongly that there is justice delay in
the courts.

“This is never the fault of the judges. Some of our judges are
dying because they are being overworked. Some of them when they
retire, they don’t enjoy their retirement because they have been
overworked. If a judge has 1000, 500 or 250 cases before him, the
best any judge can do is to treat about 80-100 cases in a year and
that judge is extra-ordinarily hardworking.

“The issue of delay will never stop, from my experience of about
25 years, except, with due respect Sir, (referring to the
President) the Judiciary is allowed to double its strength. Sir,
approval should be given to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to appoint
more judges across the board, so that justice can be delivered
without delay, for ‘justice delayed is justice denied.”

Mr Adejumo, whose tenure at the National Industrial Court is
ending soon, also requested for more infrastructure for the
judiciary, to enhance its efficiency.

“If more judges are to be appointed, then infrastructure has to
be made available: courtroom, chambers, houses, cars, etc. This is
why I have humbly said that the Judiciary should be considered when
it comes to funding and the National Assembly should also
cooperate,” he said.

Mr Adeyemo lamented that the Industrial Court currently has 33
judges with over 10,000 cases pending before it.

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Also speaking, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad,
said the inauguration of the building was historic because it
provides the court with a conducive working environment.

Mr Muhammad thanked President Buhari for making funds available
for the Judiciary. He, however, appealed for more.

The occasion was attended by the Secretary to the Government of
the Federation, ministers of Justice and the Federal Capital
Territory, as well as the Chairman of Senate committee on
judiciary, Opeyemi Bamidele.

Photos Below

Shortly after inaugurating the building, Mr Buhari was conducted
round the facility by Mr Adejumo.

President Muhammadu Buhari commissions the Annex Building of
National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja. 30th Sept 2019.
Photo: State House