The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Justice Ishaq Bello Monday said the Judiciary was being wrongly blamed for poor dispensation of justice in the country.
Justice Bello, who frowned at the sweeping condemnation of the Judiciary as a corrupt and inefficient system, argued that such conclusions were without basis.
The Chief Judge said while the Judiciary was not insulated from meaningful criticism, “we get worried and disturbed when sweeping adverse comments are made about the Judiciary, without bothering to ascertain the challenges the Judiciary faces in many aspects of its operations.”
Justice Bello spoke in Abuja while playing host to members of a civil society group, Partners West Africa – Nigeria, led by its Executive Director, Kemi Okenyodo.
He argued that the task of ensuring justice in every society was not limited to the Judiciary, but includes other arms of government, who must also contribute to ensure prompt and efficient justice delivery system.
“So, it is the performance of the Executive and the performance of the Legislature that combine to enhance justice delivery in any society.
“It is the responsibility of the Executive, through the police and other agencies empowered to engage in investigatory processes and prosecutory processes to ensure a thorough job.
“Where there is failing in any of these premises, the justice delivery process is already affected. Its outcome is bound to be faulty at the end of the day, no matter how high profile the case may be.
“If within the realm of the Legislature, the laws passed do not seem to address issues at stake, or the penal provisions are inadequate to meet out the requisite punishment then, in that regard, the Judiciary can do nothing, because it is required to operate, not only within the law, but under the law.
“So, if any legislation is inadequate and the allegation sounds so high profile, there is nothing the judge can do beyond applying the penal provisions,” he said.
Justice Bello suggested that amendments are to be effected on existing laws, or where new laws are to be enacted, the Legislators must give priority to suggestions and recommendations from the Judiciary, because it utilises the laws enacted and know where there are inadequacies.
He urged operators in the judicial sector to always be conscious of their responsibilities in ensuring the dispensation of justice through proper and effective application of the law. He urged them to shun acts capable of affecting public confidence in the sector.
Okenyodo said the group’s visit to the Chief Judge was intended to seek his support for its project directed at “espousing the obligation of enshrining social accountability and uprightness in the Judiciary.
She added that the group, through its social accountability project, intends to garner support for deeply rooted judicial reforms which will range from the quality of legal education to the quality of legal practice.
Okenyodo commended the FCT CJ for his various innovations since assuming offence, among which she said; include measures put in place to ensure that corruption cases were speedily dealt with.
