CJN Asks N’Assembly to Amend Supreme Court’s Jurisdiction – TheNigerialawyer

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko
Muhammad, has canvassed for the amendment of the Supreme Court’s
jurisdiction as contained in the 1999 Constitution so that not all
cases will terminate in the apex court.

Making the call in Abuja when the Senate Committee on Judiciary,
Human Rights and Legal Matters led by its Chairman, Senator Opeyemi
Bamidele, paid him a courtesy visit, the CJN expressed concern over
the number of appeals pending before the apex court.

He therefore called on the National Assembly to as a matter of
urgency amend the constitution for timely dispensation of justice
and to reduce the stress arising from the heavy burden of appeals
on the Justices of the Supreme Court.

Justice Muhammad disclosed that most of the justices don’t sleep
for 12 hours as recommended by stress managers, adding that they do
not just give judgment but do so with cogent reasons.

“We don’t write judgment merely by stating that so, so, so, and
so cases were filed by this and that, and end it up by saying
appeal is hereby dismissed or upheld. We have to give reasons which
is the bedrock of judgment writing.”

According to him, the nation’s Supreme Court is not only the
busiest apex court in the world but the entire judiciary of the
country also remains the best across the globe.

He said: ‘’Nigerian Judiciary is one of the best in the world;
and if nobody tells you, I am telling you today.

‘’The constitution enjoins the Supreme Court to have 21
justices, yet we are having less than that number. We will have to
appoint more justices to fill the gap soon.”

The CJN also complained of the insufficient fund allocated
annually to the judiciary, insisting that the judiciary is highly
underfunded.

According to him, ‘’If you see the amount allocated to the
judiciary, it is far less than what is given to some ministries.
Salaries of the judicial officers are also stale for over 12 years
running, and I hope you would also look at that.’’

Speaking earlier, Senator Bamidele said both the Senate Standing
Orders 2015 and the amended 1999 Constitution empower his committee
to oversee the Federal Judiciary.

He said as a matter of tradition, the committee usually pays
courtesy visit to the CJN as the head of the judicial arm of
government.

‘’We are here today to keep faith with the time honoured
tradition of the committee,’’ he said.

He described the visit as a homecoming to all the 14
member-committee, who are lawyers and indeed a forum to interact
and familiarise themselves with the CJN in order to find out the
progress made by the judiciary so far as well as the challenges
facing the judiciary.

“This, no doubt, would enable us to make appropriate legislative
interventions in times ahead for the betterment of the Judiciary,”
he said.

According to him, the judiciary plays a very crucial role in the
sustenance and deepening of democratic core values which informs
why the committee would therefore make necessary interventions to
strengthen and guarantee the independence of the judicial arm.

He said the committee would make appropriate legislative
interventions to ensure proper funding for the judiciary.

‘’The committee would work in collaboration with the judiciary
to review laws and embark on reforms – including amendment to the
constitution – to ensure effective and efficient administration of
justice,’’ he further said.

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