Judiciary Reform: Panel Submits Report

The 29 man panel recently inaugurated by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, to look into the rot in the judiciary and come up with proposals for its reform on Thursday submitted their report to the CJN.

The panel was raised on 14th October,  following allegations of corruption and judicial interference which rocked the judiciary and led to the suspension and retirement of former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami.

At their inauguration, the CJN outlined fifteen problem areas that currently affect the administration of justice which he called the panel members to deliberate upon. The panel was then given up to the 18th of December to submit their report and recommendations.

However, the report submitted by the panel did not contain the endorsement of 3 members of the members. Chief Olisa Agbakoba, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  and  Joseph Dawudu, all senior advocates of Nigeria and members of the panel, did not sign the report as done by the other members. They were said to have refused to sign the report due to some disagreement in the course of the panel’s deliberation.

Speaking to reporters at the event, former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the panel, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, stated that Chief Olisa Agbakoba took permission to travel out of the country and as such was not able to append his signature on the report. He however stated that he does not know why Akeredolu and Dawodu refused to sign the report since they did not indicate whether they disagree with the report or not and can therefore not say why they have refused to append their signatures on the report.

The panel expressed confidence that the acceptance and implementation of the recommendations it had made will significantly restore the judiciary to its lost glory and pride of place.

The CJN in his remark stated that he will put into motion, actions which will lead to the implementation of the panel’s recommendation and expressed confident the implementing and recommendation will restore the judiciary to its former glory and rekindle public trust in the judiciary.

He however observed that some of the recommendations would require constitutional amendments while the others are on administration and procedural rules to fast track trial of cases, which will call for legislative amendment to give effect to such recommendations.

By Nnamdi Felix/Abuja