Stakeholders decry inconsistent Appeal Court judgments, task judiciary on efficiency
A lawyer and lecturer in the Faculty of Law,
Lagos State University (LASU), Dr Gbenga Ojo
has described the inconsistencies in the
judgments delivered by the Court of Appeal
judges as worrisome and condemnable.
He suggested that a central portal be
created for the appellate court judges to
have a cross exchange of ideas.
He made this known while delivering a
lecture with the theme, “Effective Justice
System As Panacea For Change,” at the
2015 National Association of Judiciary
Correspondents (NAJUC) annual lecture
held at Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
Dr Ojo posited that the delay in the
administration of criminal justice has
remained a major constraint in the real
time dispensation of justice across the
country.
He emphasized that such inconsistencies
in the appellate court judgments are
becoming embarrassing. The law lecturer
expressed concern that the Nigerian
judicial system has continued to remain
analogue rather than going digital.
“Legal practitioners are not doing
enough in ensuring effective justice
system in the country. There is therefore
the need for continuous legal training
for stakeholders in the Nigerian legal
system.
“The menace of corruption must be
fought holistically if it must be
eradicated. There is the need to deploy
massively, Information Communications
Technology (ICT) in the practice of law
in Nigeria. Appeal Court judgments must
be made consistent at all times.
“There is also the need to have
specialised judges for specialised cases. I
am also suggesting that there is the need
for specialised courts for financial
crimes”, he said.
In his own submission, Executive
Director of Assess to Justice, Mr. Joseph
Otteh commended the media for its role
in furthering the course of change in
Nigeria.
Otteh said that effective justice system is
needed to guarantee change, good
governance and democracy, adding that
the judiciary is the guardian of the
constitution all over the world.
His word: “If our democracy must
succeed, then our judiciary must succeed.
Our justice system is not protected and
discourages economic investment in
Nigeria.
“The Nigerian justice system is not
working because it is a major barrier to
itself. Judges behave the way they do
because of the oversight in the
accountability expected of them.
“The corruption within the justice system
needs to be seriously tackled.
Unwarranted transfers of judges and
magistrates should be seriously tackled
because it slows down the course of
justice.
“Chief Judges should begin to exercise
their discretion in a more responsible
manner.”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),
Babatunde Fashanu said effective justice
delivery, cannot be the only way the
Nigerian problems could be solved.
He said: “It is very important that we get
our justice system right. There are very
courageous judges, especially in the
Lagos State judiciary. Judges must be
well paid for them to work well.”
Another SAN, Sylva Ogwemoh argued
that it takes a lazy judge to condone a
lazy lawyer.
He therefore suggested that judges
salaries should be based on the volume
of cases delivered.
Earlier in his key note address, the
occasion’s chairman, Chief Lai
Babatunde (SAN), represented by the
Chairman, Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian
Bar Association (NBA), Yinka Farounbi
noted that the lecture was fundamental
to the existence of Nigeria.
In her remark, the Chief Judge of Lagos
State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade
maintained that journalism has over the
years made impactful contributions to
sustainable growth and human
development in the society.
The CJ who was represented by the
Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) Legal, Mrs
A.O Okunnuga said: “The theme of this
year’s lecture, “Effective Justice System
as a panacea for change” is apt and in
tandem with our programmes and desire
for growth and transformation in the
state judiciary.
“Our various reforms and innovative
programmes are geared towards
advancing the course of justice and to
ensure quick and effective dispensation
of justice.
In his welcome address, Ikeja branch
Chairman of NAJUC, Akinwale Akintunde
noted that this year’s lecture series is
designed towards providing, “Avenue for
us all to take a critical look at the state of
affairs of this nation, especially the
judiciary sector and in the process
identify those things which have the
capacity about the desired change.”
According to Akintunde, the theme of
this year’s lectures, “Effective Justice
System as Panacea for Change” became
imperative in view of the role the
judiciary plays in the over all
development of any nation, particularly
now that the current administration of
President MuhammaduBuhari is saddled
with the task of repositioning
government structures for effective and
efficient performance in line with
acceptable standards all over the world.
“We believe that the revolutionary
change being advocated by President
Buhari cannot be achieved without an
effective justice system”, he stated.
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