President Buhari
By Kunle Adeliyi/Abuja
As part of the judicial reforms in the administration of Justice System in Nigeria, President Muhammad Buhari has called on Judges to allow outcome of cases to make sense to average Nigerians and not just to the refined minds of learned persons alone.
The President who was represented by the Vice President, Yemi Osibajo made this call at the opening session of the virtual 2020 Nigerian Bar Associations (NBA) Annual General Conference themed “Step Forward”.
According to the President “the seeming bias towards technicality over the clear common sense Justice of cases must stop. If Justice is to be seen to be done, then the outcomes of cases must make sense to the average person and not just to the refined minds of learned persons alone. Justice must make sense to lawyers and non lawyers alike.”
Speaking on the theme of the conference which he said translates into “taking responsibility” President Buhari explained that the situation has become necessary given the current and preexisting challenges confronting the system and therefore suggested time limits for all cases, be it criminal and civil; issue of multiple and conflicting rulings, digitization of court processes as well as improvement on the selection processes for appointment of the men and women who serve as Judges.
President Buhari noted that “Reform is urgent because the fabric of our society is stiched together by our system of Justice and law enforcement. We cannot afford to have the stiches come undone.”
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad at the occasion restated the commitment of the Judiciary to adapt to changes within and around its environment, citing the adoption of virtual court proceedings as an example, adding that the judiciary under his watch will not condone practices that have over the years, negatively impacted the image of the Justice sector, noting that abuse of court processes, among others would no longer be tolerated.
