Judiciary and rule of law under threats---Chief Justice of Nigeria raises alarm Justice Olukayode Ariwoola The Chief Justice of Nigeria (C...
Judiciary and rule of law under threats---Chief Justice of Nigeria raises alarm
 |
| Justice Olukayode Ariwoola |
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has expressed concern over the increasing rate at which the Judiciary and rule of law were being undermined in the country.
Justice Ariwoola said he would ensure that the Judiciary, under his watch, will no longer tolerate such disrespect to judicial institutions and officers.
He said: “I must say, without equivocation, that the rule of law has been assailed from all fronts in this country, especially by those who are supposed to uphold and guard it jealously.
“It is no more news that our judicial officers, even court facilities, have been variously attacked, molested, harassed and desecrated across the country.
“I wish to let whoever cares to listen to know that nobody, no matter his or her position in society, should mistake our golden silence for weakness or vulnerability.
“The Judiciary, under my watch, will not sit by the sidelines and watch the temple of justice and ministers of justice being flagrantly chastised and whipped into silence.
“Nigeria is governed by the Constitution, and the rule of law ought to superintend our demeanour.
“No one in this country is permitted, under any guise, to take the law into his or her hands simply because he or she has the guns to wield.
“The earlier judicial officers and the courts are respected the better for us,” the CJN said.
He spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at a conference of Attorneys-General in Nigeria, with the theme: “Enhancing synergy between the federal and state governments in the administration of justice in Nigeria.”
The CJN, who was represented by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun (of the Supreme Court), tasked the Attorneys-General, both at state and federal levels to ensure the Judiciary was protected and respected.
He expressed concern about the challenges hampering the effectiveness of the nation’s criminal justice system.
Justice Ariwoola said: “You (the Attorneys General) cannot afford to let us down. The court must not suffer under your watch.
“Oppression and suppression of perceived enemy must not have a bearing on your conduct.
“Judicial officers must not suffer intimidation and chastisement, and Chief Judges must not go cap-in-hand to beg for funds to run their courts. We are counting on you. Please, do not let us down.
“There is no substitute for rule of law in any society. Similarly, there is no shortcut to equity and fairness in the dispensation of justice.
“The onus rests squarely on all of us. We are directly and remotely connected with the administration of justice in Nigeria, to uphold the rule of law and also put to full implementation the letters and words of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
“From all indications, so many things have gone wrong with the criminal justice chain. Concerted and urgent efforts need to be evolved to address the problem.
“This unpleasant state of affairs must change from this moment, and I am very certain that with the crops of participants of this conference, tremendous results will be attained.
“Stakeholders will be able to identify salient impediments to the success of most of the laws in the justice sector.
“I, therefore, urged us all, from this moment and in our various capacities, to start taking a comprehensive approach to the effective and seamless administration of criminal justice and the implementation of the rule of law,” Justice Ariwoola said.
No comments
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.