Acting CJN asks judges to shun corrupt practices

The Acting Chief Jus­tice of Nigeria, Justice Nkanu Onnoghen, yes­terday, asked judicial officers of lower courts in the country, to desist from corrupt prac­tices in order to align with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led anti-corruption battle.

In a keynote address he delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Con­ference for all Judges of the lower courts organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, Onnoghen said judges, as impartial ar­biters, must uphold the “rule of law, eliminate unnecessary delays and to dispense justice without fear or favour” to all parties in accordance with the law.

Justice Onnoghen noted that the primary role of judg­es of the lower courts is to settle disputes in accordance with the provisions of the rule of law, adding that, “The per­formance of this onerous task depends on strict adherence to rule of law, the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, access to justice, integrity and independence of judiciary”.

The Acting CJN identified inadequate funding and cor­rupt practices as some of the major challenges hindering the smooth administration of justice and exposes the judici­ary to a lot of criticisms.”

According to him, admin­istration of justice is crucial to the effective running and sta­bility of a democratic society as well as the peaceful coex­istence of its citizens, without which, he said, the society will degenerate into anarchy.

While commending the judiciary for its innovative strides in the field of Infor­mation and Communication Technology (ICT), Onnoghen restated that ICT had im­proved access to justice.

“It is pertinent to note that an independent, strong, re­spectable and responsible ju­diciary is indispensable to the administration of justice and to have such an institution, we must adhere to the oath of office and the code of con­duct for judicial officers”, On­noghen stated.

Earlier, NJI Administrator, Justice Roseline Bozimo said if the lower courts must serve as veritable instruments for jus­tice and peace in a democratic society, it must continually demonstrate deep foresight for productivity, exceptional ca­pacity and remarkable courage in the defence of constitution­ally guaranteed individual and institutional rights.

She said the nation’s judi­ciary has witnessed its low and high moments in the last 16 years of democratic rules, adding that with the develop­ments, it has shown that the judiciary would rather uphold the rule of substantial justice rather than technicalities of law.