posted October 26, 2023
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has emphasized the importance of neutrality and upholding democratic values in the dispensation of justice. He addressed this issue during a 3-day retreat for Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, organized by the Attorney General Alliance-Africa (AGA-AFRICA) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Justice Ariwoola, represented by Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, stressed that it is the responsibility of the judiciary to act as neutral arbiters and maintain the principles of democracy. He further stated that achieving efficiency and effectiveness in the Nigerian judicial system is a critical goal, and such retreats serve as reminders to judicial officers about their crucial role in society in ensuring a stable and just political environment.
The theme of the retreat, “achieving efficiency and effectiveness in a Judicial system in Nigeria” was apt, as it the underscores the CJN’s on significance of impartiality and the judiciary’s role in upholding democratic values to earn public trust in the judicial system.
“In the light of the above, you will agree with me that ‘Democracy’ can only thrive on the respect for the Rule of Law and its principles also advocate the independence of the Judiciary, the doctrine of Separation of Powers, guarantee of fundamental rights, freedom of expression epitomized by free press and media as well as free and fair elections, all of which can only be guaranteed by an efficient and effective judiciary.
“Therefore, efficiency and effectiveness are not mere aspirations but essential foundations upon which our justice system rests. They are also the cornerstone of a judiciary that earns the trust and confidence of its people.
“In order to achieve this, it is imperative to explore innovative case management techniques, embrace modern technologies to streamline court processes, and generally dispense justice in a manner that restores faith in the rule of law.
“I must reiterate that as we move forward into this digital age, we must embrace the potential of technology which would significantly enhance efficiency by streamlining administrative tasks, aid legal research, reduce having backlog of cases, and generally improve transparency and efficiency in the administration of justice.” The CJN said.
He charged them to utilize the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and generally learn from one another is inevitable
“This exchange of ideas, you must agree with me, foster innovations which can engender reforms and improve processes in the judiciary; therefore, it is my expectation that this retreat will provides us with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on our current practices, identify areas for improvement, and chart a course towards a more efficient and effective judiciary.
“My Lords, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, over the course of this retreat, I will appreciate and encourage open and frank discussions. We must also engage in a constructive exchange of ideas, drawing upon our collective wisdom and experiences by examining best practices from local and International jurisdictions, thereby culminating in thoughtful dialogue aimed at providing solutions to the challenges confronting our judiciary.
“Distinguished Participants, I am very optimistic that the fruitful discussions and collaborative efforts that will undoubtedly emerge from this retreat will, no doubt map out strategies towards a more efficient and effective judiciary; one that not only dispenses justice but also serves as a beacon of hope and trust for our nation.
“I am confident that working together, we can reaffirm the judiciary’s role as a pillar of democracy and justice in Nigeria.In rounding off my brief remarks, let me commend the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, and his team for effectively collaborating with AGA-AFRICA in organising this highly important Retreat for Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.” Ariwoola said.
In his welcome address, Administrator of National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi emphasized the crucial role of a vibrant and independent Judiciary led by upright judicial officers. He underscored that such a judiciary is essential for maintaining public trust in the administration of justice.
He also noted that the chosen theme of the retreat was particularly timely, as it provided an opportunity for the justices to assess the judicial system and come up with suggestions for enhancements and interventions.
According to Justice Abdullahi, “The pursuit of Justice is the cornerstone of any thriving democracy and it is essential that our judicial system operate with utmost efficiency and effectiveness to uphold the principle upon which our nation was founded. In this light, concerted efforts must be made towards the timely resolution of cases, the streamlining of legal procedures and the elimination of unnecessary delays.
“Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to invest in several key areas such as ICT and also leverage on case management among many others.
“In the light of the above, it is imperative that we must ensure that Justice is not only done but should be seen to be done in a manner that represents the rights and needs of all parties involved as speedy Justice delivery instills confidence in our legal system.
“On our part, the NJI will not relent to fulfilling its mandate of delivering quality judicial education to our judicial officers by organizing workshops, seminars, conferences and by collaborative efforts to hold retreats such as this to improve the quality of judicial decisions and enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of our judicial system.” Abdullahi assured.
Chukukere Unamba-Opara, AGA Africa Programme Director and Country Coordinator for Kenya, expressed in a remark that the AGA-Africa Programme is steadfastly committed to bolstering the legal framework and remains unwavering in their dedication to enhancing the capabilities of the judiciary.
“Our collaboration has seen us engage in various meaningful initiatives, including but not limited to other retreats for esteemed Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices.
“We have also conducted workshops on Asset Forfeiture Regime Under Nigerian Law and the Bench’s Perspective of the Capital Market; Effective Administration of Criminal Justice; and Oral Advocacy and Electronic Evidence.
“This history of collaboration seamlessly paves the way for our continued support of this event. These workshops are reflective of the work that we do across our partner countries – Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Nigeria in the areas of transnational organized crime including Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Wildlife Crime.
“The breadth and scope of our work demonstrates the AGA-Africa Programme’s understanding that transnational organized crimes cannot be tackled without cross-border cooperation between countries.
“If crime crosses all borders, so must our work as criminal justice actors. If organized criminal groups can exploit the openness and opportunities of globalization for their purposes, then we must exploit those very same factors in the pursuit of access to justice.
Furthermore, he said AGA Africa would leverage on the impact of integration to develop multi-lateral strategies towards addressing common problems and expressed appreciation to the National Judicial Institute for their invaluable support and collaboration in making the workshop possible.