The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Monday, charged Magistrates and Judges of the lower courts to act with candour and integrity, within the confines of the law at all times to bolster trust and confidence in the justice system.
The CJN, who gave the charge in Abuja while addressing a hybrid refresher course for Magistrates and Judges of the lower courts said, that while the office of a Judge, whether of the higher and lower Bench is a most enviable position to occupy, the requirements of the office are unarguably demanding and onerous.
To effectively discharge their duties and fulfil the demands of the office, the CJN said, judicial officers are expected to posses adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law, practice and procedures.
Aware of the challenges faced by Magistrates and Judges of the lower courts, Justice Ariwoola assured that proactive steps are being taken to ameliorate the challenges and improve the overall welfare of judicial officers and staff of the lower courts, to improve the quality and pace of their service delivery.
The CJN said the refresher course serves as a platform for participants from different jurisdictions to exchange ideas, share vital experiences and collectively review the various approaches that make for better and quick dispensation of justice.
Justice Ariwoola said the Magistracy and the lower courts play important roles in the justice system as they are the proximate and ultimate courts that are readily accessible to citizens at the grassroots.
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Earlier in his address, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Salisu Abdullahi said, the programme which is organised in line with the statutory mandate of the NJI, provides participants with an invaluable opportunity to cross-fertilize ideas and come up with new strategies and solutions necessary for enhancing the quality of judicial services at the lower courts.
He said, the theme of the refresher course, “Repositioning the lower courts for quick dispensation of justice”, seeks to draw the attention of participants to key aspects and areas of substantive and procedural law that will enable them discharge their duties more effectively and efficiently.
The NJI boss agreed with the statement by a renowned British Jurist and Historian, Viscount James Bryce that, “There is no better test of excellence of a government than the efficiency of its judicial system, for nothing more clearly touches on the welfare and security of citizens than the feeling that they can rely on certain and prompt administration of justice “.
TheWitness
