*Expresses confidence that Justice Bello’s successor will do
better as FCT Chief Judge
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide
Akpata, has applauded the retiring Chief Judge of FCT High Court,
Hon. Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, for what he described as “Stellar
career” and for having an “intimidating Curricular Vitae (CV)”
![image](/2020/10/NWLRland.jpg")
This is contained in a speech he delivered at the valedictory
court session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge on January 5,
2021 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Court.
He said Justice Bello is a jurist with foresight and commended
him for decongesting Nigerian Prisons by securing the release of
over 4000 inmates
Akpata described as “fitting” the appointment of Justice Bello
as Chairman of the De-Congestion Reforms of the Correctional
Service Centers.
“What a Jurist! A Jurist that shook the conscience of the
Nigerian Justice System and set free nearly four thousand (4,000)
wrongfully detained citizens. A Jurist whose foresight and
doubtless hindsight, introduced the CIMS, an information management
system, to help officials in the administration of justice see into
the system of the Nation’s correctional centers to detect and
manage problems. My Lord’s determination to focus on the prison
reforms heralded the much-needed de-congestion of the Centers.
“It was only therefore fitting for My Lord to be appointed by
the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Chairman of
the De-Congestion Reforms of the Correctional Service Centers.
Obviously, My Lord’s humanity has shown, even in the change in
nomenclature from the Prison Service to the Correctional Center, in
keeping with the purpose of incarceration – which is
reformation.
“In unwittingly preparing himself for this national assignment,
My Lord had spent much of his early days in service visiting
prisons and police stations, for a clearer and better understanding
of the areas of change and reform, whenever the opportunity to
introduce such reforms presented itself. I remember listening to My
Lord speak of always doing two things when appointed to a new
judicial division; visiting the prison facilities, and the police
stations, to ensure My Lord is educated on where those sentenced
will be sent to only when absolutely necessary.” Akpata said
Furthermore, Akpata applauded Justice Bello for making FCT High
Court ICT compliant and was particularly impressed that judgements
of the Court are accessible in the court’s website. He said is a no
mean feat.
He said, “I must not fail to recognize the very impressive
adoption of technology in dispensing justice under the watch of My
Lord. In particular, on the use of Information Communications
Technology (ICT), and having Courts that are compliant. I say this
because, today, we now have some decisions of the High Court of the
FCT on the Court’s website. Having a system where the decisions of
the Court can be easily accessed online, is not a mere feat, given
the fact that most Courts, including the Appellate Courts do not
have such a system in place.”
In conclusion, Akpata expressed confidence that, though Justice
Bello seemed to have covered the field with almost nothing left to
be done, successor will do better
He admonished other judges and Justices to pay utmost attention
to matters of their health just the way Justice Bello did to
his
The speech reads in part, “In concluding this address, I must
say with all sense of responsibility that My Lord’s achievements
during the period of service, whether as Acting and Substantive
Chief Judge of the High Court of the FCT, are most enviable. I am
almost wondering if there would be anything left for My Lord’s
successor to do in office, considering that My Lord has greatly
covered the field. But knowing the depth of the Bench in the High
Court of the FCT, I am certain that My Lord’s successor will not
only improve on My Lord’s accomplishments, but also surpass
them.
“I will again refer to My Lord’s CV and will say, the younger
generation, and I dare say contemporaries, can draw inspiration
from. I thank you, My Lord, for the days of service that you have
given to the Judiciary. I can only wish My Lord the best in the
coming days. Of course, this can only be the beginning of a more
excellent career even in retirement. Knowing My Lord to be who he
is, I doubt My Lord has plans to go to rest at this point, so I
will be looking out for those exploits My Lord will be performing
hereafter.
“On a more personal note, I commend My Lord for similarly
creating a fine balance between the very tedious task of a Judicial
Officer and a manager of his health. It is not uncommon to have
Judges/ Justices suffer bad shape of health either in service or at
retirement. I use this opportunity to admonish our revered
Judges/Justices to pay utmost attention to matters of their health.
This is very important.
“On behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association, I want to
congratulate My Lord, Hon Justice Ishaq Bello, the retiring Chief
Judge, High Court of the FCT, for a meritorious service to the
Nigerian legal system. I can only wish you the best in
retirement.”
*Expresses confidence that Justice Bello’s successor will do
better as FCT Chief Judge
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide
Akpata, has applauded the retiring Chief Judge of FCT High Court,
Hon. Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, for what he described as “Stellar
career” and for having an “intimidating Curricular Vitae (CV)”
This is contained in a speech he delivered at the valedictory
court session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge on January 5,
2021 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Court.
He said Justice Bello is a jurist with foresight and commended
him for decongesting Nigerian Prisons by securing the release of
over 4000 inmates
Akpata described as “fitting” the appointment of Justice Bello
as Chairman of the De-Congestion Reforms of the Correctional
Service Centers.
“What a Jurist! A Jurist that shook the conscience of the
Nigerian Justice System and set free nearly four thousand (4,000)
wrongfully detained citizens. A Jurist whose foresight and
doubtless hindsight, introduced the CIMS, an information management
system, to help officials in the administration of justice see into
the system of the Nation’s correctional centers to detect and
manage problems. My Lord’s determination to focus on the prison
reforms heralded the much-needed de-congestion of the Centers.
“It was only therefore fitting for My Lord to be appointed by
the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Chairman of
the De-Congestion Reforms of the Correctional Service Centers.
Obviously, My Lord’s humanity has shown, even in the change in
nomenclature from the Prison Service to the Correctional Center, in
keeping with the purpose of incarceration – which is
reformation.
“In unwittingly preparing himself for this national assignment,
My Lord had spent much of his early days in service visiting
prisons and police stations, for a clearer and better understanding
of the areas of change and reform, whenever the opportunity to
introduce such reforms presented itself. I remember listening to My
Lord speak of always doing two things when appointed to a new
judicial division; visiting the prison facilities, and the police
stations, to ensure My Lord is educated on where those sentenced
will be sent to only when absolutely necessary.” Akpata said
Furthermore, Akpata applauded Justice Bello for making FCT High
Court ICT compliant and was particularly impressed that judgements
of the Court are accessible in the court’s website. He said is a no
mean feat.
He said, “I must not fail to recognize the very impressive
adoption of technology in dispensing justice under the watch of My
Lord. In particular, on the use of Information Communications
Technology (ICT), and having Courts that are compliant. I say this
because, today, we now have some decisions of the High Court of the
FCT on the Court’s website. Having a system where the decisions of
the Court can be easily accessed online, is not a mere feat, given
the fact that most Courts, including the Appellate Courts do not
have such a system in place.”
In conclusion, Akpata expressed confidence that, though Justice
Bello seemed to have covered the field with almost nothing left to
be done, successor will do better
He admonished other judges and Justices to pay utmost attention
to matters of their health just the way Justice Bello did to
his
The speech reads in part, “In concluding this address, I must
say with all sense of responsibility that My Lord’s achievements
during the period of service, whether as Acting and Substantive
Chief Judge of the High Court of the FCT, are most enviable. I am
almost wondering if there would be anything left for My Lord’s
successor to do in office, considering that My Lord has greatly
covered the field. But knowing the depth of the Bench in the High
Court of the FCT, I am certain that My Lord’s successor will not
only improve on My Lord’s accomplishments, but also surpass
them.
“I will again refer to My Lord’s CV and will say, the younger
generation, and I dare say contemporaries, can draw inspiration
from. I thank you, My Lord, for the days of service that you have
given to the Judiciary. I can only wish My Lord the best in the
coming days. Of course, this can only be the beginning of a more
excellent career even in retirement. Knowing My Lord to be who he
is, I doubt My Lord has plans to go to rest at this point, so I
will be looking out for those exploits My Lord will be performing
hereafter.
“On a more personal note, I commend My Lord for similarly
creating a fine balance between the very tedious task of a Judicial
Officer and a manager of his health. It is not uncommon to have
Judges/ Justices suffer bad shape of health either in service or at
retirement. I use this opportunity to admonish our revered
Judges/Justices to pay utmost attention to matters of their health.
This is very important.
“On behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association, I want to
congratulate My Lord, Hon Justice Ishaq Bello, the retiring Chief
Judge, High Court of the FCT, for a meritorious service to the
Nigerian legal system. I can only wish you the best in
retirement.”
