Uwais Heads Panel For Nigeria’s Sick Judiciary

The much needed reform in the judiciary appears to have begun in earnest as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Mustapher who also doubles as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, on Friday convened a Stakeholders meeting in Abuja to address the daunting problems and challenges afflicting the Nation’s Judiciary.

The release signed by the Secretary to the Council, Danladi Halilu, Esq., OON, indicate that former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice M.L. Uwais, GCON, is the Chairman of the Committee.

It is recalled that the CJN, while being sworn into office by President Goodluck Jonathan promised to tackle the rapidly deteriorating public perception of the judiciary with a view to regaining the waning confidence of a large section of the Nigerian populace in the judiciary.

Members of the Reform Committee are as follows Hon. Justice M.L. Uwais, GCON (Former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Hon. Justice S.M.A. Belgore, GCON (Former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Hon. Justice Idris L. Kutigi, GCON(Former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Hon. Justice A.I. Katsina-Alu, GCON (Former Chief Justice of Nigeria), Hon. Justice Mamman Nasir, GCON (Former President, Court of Appeal), Hon. Justice A.G. Karibi-Whyte, CON (Rtd Justice of the Supreme Court), Hon. Justice M.M.A. Akanbi, CFR (Former President, Court of Appeal), Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, CON(Former President, Court of Appeal), Hon. Justice Kayode Eso, CON (Rtd Justice of the Supreme Court), Hon. Justice Umaru A. Kalgo, CON (Rtd Justice of the Supreme Court & Chairman, Law Reform Commission of Nigeria), Hon. Justice R.N. Ukeje, OFR (Former Chief Judge, Federal High Court), Hon. Justice R.P.I. Bozimo, OFR (Former Chief Judge, Delta State) and Hon. Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, OFR (Chief Judge, FCT)

Others are Mr. J.B.Daudu, SAN (President, NBA), Chief Richard O.Akinjide, CON, SAN (Former Attorney-General of the Federation), Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, CON, SAN (Former Attorney-General of the Federation), Dr. A.G.F. AbdulRazak, SAN, Chief Anthony O. Mogboh SAN, Mr. T.J.O. Okpoko, SAN (Former President, NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN (Former President, NBA), Mr. O.C.J. Okocha, MFR, SAN (Former President, NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN (Former President, NBA), Mr. Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN (Former President, NBA), Prince Lanke Odogiyan, Esq.(Former President, NBA), Hajiya Hairat Balogun, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN (Director-General, NIALS), Dr. Mamman Tahir(Director-General, Nigerian Law School) and Mr. A.B. Mahmud, SAN.

In his inaugural speech during the stakeholders meeting, the Chief Justice of Nigeria drew the attention of the members to the quality and timeliness of the trial process, procedural inefficiencies, poor infrastructure, poor conditions of service for Judicial and non–Judicial officers, declining intellectual quality and reasoning content of delivered judgments, corruption, as well as the effects of an unrestrained quest for political power which have served to disrupt the efficiency of the Judiciary and damaged its perception by the public.

The CJN also alluded to the speech he delivered during the Legal year Special Session of the Supreme Court where he outlined the key areas in the administration of Justice where reforms will be required such as restructuring and repositioning the National Judicial Council, Federal Judicial Service Commission and National Judicial Institute.

Other areas where the CJN’s reform initiatives is targeted include the constitutional review of all Superior Courts of Records as well as the lower Courts.

Justice Musdapher reiterated that the purpose of the reforms is to set the Judiciary on a path of renewal so as to restore the integrity and dignity of the Judiciary to its pristine status.

Considering the urgency of the assignment, he urged the Stakeholders to complete the assignment and submit their recommendations by 18th November, 2011.

By Nnamdi Felix / Abuja