Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on Monday, threatened that, there will be consequences for anybody who filed frivolous petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against judicial officers in the country.
The CJN, who stated this while addressing the 2024 annual Justices’ conference of the Court of Appeal held in Abuja, frowned at the way and manner frivolous petitions are filed against Judges.
As a way of avoiding conflicting judgments in the Court of Appeal, Justice Kekere-Ekun urged Justices of the court to always hold conferences to share experience and expertise on matters brought before them before judgment is given.
“At the appellate level, where appeals are heard and reserved for judgment, she said, the holding of conferences to connect with judges, collectively deliberate on issues and matters that come before the court cannot be overstated. Conferencing is an essential tool that promotes mutual respect, deepens understanding, and enhances the quality of our decisions”, she noted.
She said, the theme of this year’s conference, “Judicial Introspection” calls for reflection, not only as judicial officers but also as a unified judiciary navigating the complexity of modern justice delivery.
“For judicial officers, introspection serves as a critical tool for enhancing performance, refining judgment, and bolstering public confidence in the judiciary. It demands an openness to change and growth, particularly in response to the evolving expectations of society,” she said.
She noted that, though the judiciary is made up of distinct judicial officers, it is perceived as a single entity and public confidence in the system relies not only on individual integrity but on the collective strength of the judiciary as an institution.
She expressed the belief that through introspection, the judiciary can develop innovative strategies to tackle the challenges of case backlogs, funding constraints, as well as the public perception of judicial inefficiency facing the judiciary.
Earlier in her address, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said that justices occupy a position of paramount importance in the administration of justice with their decisions exerting a profound impact on individuals, communities, and society at large.
She said, the Court of Appeal’s jurisdictional framework is enriched by the collective knowledge and expertise of its justices, who harness their individual and shared experiences to inform the discharge of their duties.
According to her, the conference is structured in line with the needs of the Court of Appeal and reminds the Justices of the court of the responsibilities associated with their roles in the justice system.
While stating the need for Justices to engage in regular self-reflection, evaluation, and strategic planning, Dongban-Mensem said, the conference offers a unique opportunity for introspection, knowledge-sharing, and growth among stakeholders.
She observed that the emergence of Social Media has profoundly transformed the dynamics of interpersonal interaction, communication, and information dissemination, yielding significant improvements in the efficacy and scope of human connection.
“Nevertheless, this technological shift has also generated a range of challenges for the judiciary, including the management of online reputation, cyber-bullying, and harassment. The preservation of the integrity of digital evidence in the context of legal proceedings is now a thing of concern.
“To effectively navigate these complexities, it is only appropriate for the judiciary to engage in a process of regular intellectual upliftment. A regular examination of existing practices, procedures, and policies to ensure their efficacy, efficiency, and fairness in the digital age is imperative”.
In his speech, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN pledged to uphold the principle of judicial independence in the country.
He also said he will work tirelessly to ensure that the judiciary has adequate resources and support it needs to carry out its vital functions, without compromising judicial independence in any way.
The Chief Law Officer of the country said, the Executive arm of government will remain a developmental and statutory partner in the administration of justice in Nigeria and added that he will also strive to promote public understanding of the importance of judicial independence and to foster a culture of respect for the rule of law Nigeria.
According to the AGF, a truly independent judiciary, free from undue influence or pressure, is the cornerstone of a democratic nation, emphasizing that, judicial independence plays critical role in upholding the rule of law, democratic governance, and ensuring justice for all in a just society.
He said, the Court of Appeal has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of justice, equity, and fairness adding that, “Your judgments have set precedents, shaped legal discourse, shaped the course of several aspects of our national life, and your commitment to upholding the Constitution and established principles of law and natural justice has provided a beacon of hope for countless individuals and entities seeking justice.
“It is trite that each of the independent three arms of government exercises separate powers, but the emphasis has always been on judicial independence, which is a major cornerstone or bedrock upon which the rule of law and our democracy rests”
He said, the challenges to judicial independence can come from various sources, including political interference, public opinion (especially perpetrated on social media), and even well-intentioned efforts to improve the justice system and stressed the need to remain vigilant and steadfast in the defense of judicial independence.
With the theme of the Conference – Judicial Introspection, Fagbemi said, the organizers intend to use the Conference as a barometer to gauge the accomplishments of the Court and also provide a compass to guide optimal performance in the future.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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