• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Reps seek institutional collaboration for judicial reforms

Lawmakers begin investigation of donor funds diversion

The House of Representatives has called for partnership between the judiciary and legislature to achieve the much-talked-about judicial reforms in the country.
Chairman, House Committee on Federal Judiciary, Onofiok Luke, gave this indication when he led other members of the committee on familiarisation to the Federal Judiciary Service Commission (FJSC) in Abuja.
Luke, who represents Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House, expressed the determination of the House to synergise with the commission towards efficient justice system in the country as contained in the third schedule of the Constitution (as amended).

He assured that the legislature is ready to work with the judiciary in areas that need constitutional amendment to make the judiciary well positioned for quick dispensation of justice in the post COVID-19 era.
“We are here on a familiarisation visit to acquaint ourselves with the workings of the Commission, the modus operandi and equally the challenges posed and whatever the Commission feels to share with the legislature to make the legislature assist the Commission to realise its core mandate,” Luke said.
“The House under the leadership of Femi Gbajabiamila has stated clearly the need for justice sector reform and that is well captured in the legislative agenda. We know the response of the Federal Judiciary Service Commission in ensuring the much talked about Judicial sector reform.

“We are equally here to hear from the Commission in the areas the legislature can help strengthen the Commission so as to deliver on its core mandate. Let us use this opportunity to appreciate the Commission in ensuring discipline in the judiciary.
“The Commission in its advisory role as enshrined in the constitution to the National Judicial Service Council (NJC) has ensured that men and women of proven integrity and character are nominated as heads of Federal Courts in the country.

“This Committee commends the Commission for its effective and effective exercise of its responsibility. We said this in the light of the recent appointment into the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President of the Court of Appeal, Office of the Justice of the High Court and President of the National Industrial Court. The persons you advised NJC to appoint they have proven to be men of character and intellect.

“We know that the world has changed, things are no more the same because of the COVID-19 pandemic that we are faced with. It is the thinking of this Committee that we are open, we want to partner with the Commission so that the Commission in conjunction with any arm of the judiciary can create an enabling working environment for Judicial Staff and equally have partnership with the JUSUN so that we can have an effective and efficient Judicial system performing in the post COVID-19 era.

“We heard clamour from JUSUN about the stress they have to encounter in coming to the two exam centres. If it is possible, decentralization be taken to the different zones. The examination centre be decentralized to six geopolitical zones so that they can have easy access to do their exams,” he said.
In his remarks, Secretary of the Commission, Bassey Bassey, said poor budgetary allocation to the judiciary was stalling the appointment of new justices for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Bassey said the judiciary in the country was struggling because the appointment of new Justices for the Appeal Court and Supreme Court has to wait as a result of lack of funds to take care of them.
“This year our budget is the least, very small and in spite of operational activities our budget is extremely small. The Judiciary is struggling because the appointment of new Justices to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court has to wait.
“Before you appoint them, you have to make adequate preparations for their welfare and as they are going, vacancies are created and they have to be filled. That is why bulk of the budgets will always be given to the Courts.

“The budget has always been an issue. In 2019, the budget was N100 billion and we have the 2020 slightly above the one of 2019 which is N110 billion. Taking into consideration some of the priority areas like appointment of Justices of Supreme Court. You discover that this is not enough.
“The Supreme Court as at today has 12 Members and they are over working themselves. It is only in Nigeria that we have a Justice of Supreme Court working all through the week. We have to ease their stress because they are elderly,” he explained.