Pix: Dr. .Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed
By Isiaka Mustapha
Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Institute, Dr. .Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed has commended the Nigerian Judiciary for its sense of patriotism and excellent performance, especially as it bothers on the sustenance of Nigeria’s democratic status and value.
Speaking on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2021 biennial All Nigeria Judges’ Conference held at the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium of the National Judicial Institute, Mohammed Bello Centre, Abuja, Justice Muhammad said the Nigerian Judiciary indeed deserved an applause for the extra efforts that it has put in despite enormous challenges such as the corona virus pandemic which hampered all activities in Nigeria and globally.
”I make bold to state that, but for the timely intervention of the Nigerian Judiciary, our present democratic status would have probably collapsed and fallen like a pack of ill-arranged cards.” Justice Muhammad said.
”However, greater effort is required on our part to demonstrate our sincerity of purpose to the public who are our primary constituents and assessors. I should not be misunderstood to be saying that we do not need to accelerate a convergence on divergent views to facilitate the growth, development and improvement of the Judiciary. This has become necessary and imperative if one considers the daunting fact that amongst the Judiciaries in the Commonwealth in particular, perhaps none is as burdened, encumbered, inundated and over-stressed with political cases and disputations as the Nigerian Judiciary, but in spite of all these challenges be rest assured, there is a determine resolve on our side to face these challenges squarely, and ensure that the ethics of the Bench are complied with by all Judicial Officers in Nigeria” Justice Muhammad added.
Justice Muhammad said the issue of corruption without mincing words is still very worrisome in the Nigerian Judiciary.
”The issue of corruption will continue to be in the front burner of our national discourse. In the past, a mention of corruption in the Judiciary was anathema. That was however then. It will tantamount to a grand deceit and fallacy to assert that there are no bad eggs even within the Judiciary. This issue and others are currently being adequately addressed. To this end, efforts are ongoing to reposition and strengthen the National Judicial Council for the effective discharge of its statutory mandate.” Justice Muhammad said