President
Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said the judiciary arm of government was yet to
perform its functions to the satisfaction of Nigerians given the reforms
brought about by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Mr.
Buhari stated this at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, while declaring
open a Workshop for Nigerian Judges organized by the Presidential Advisory
Committee Against Corruption in conjunction with the NJI.
The
President also said the Judiciary must take steps to ensure that it was not
perceived as being partisan.
He
said Judges must be aware of the sensitivities of the public and take steps
towards avoiding even a shred of a doubt regarding their independence.
“In
justice, integrity is a necessity. Hence, Judicial Officers and all other
members of this sector must always demonstrate manifest integrity,” he said.
Mr.
Buhari advised the judiciary to be in the forefront of efforts to develop
rights-based jurisprudence as an element in the multi-disciplinary approach
advocated in the fight against corruption.
He
said as an arm of government, the judiciary had a role to play in the fight
against corruption by enforcing the applicable laws.
“Critically
important also, is the sacred duty of the judiciary to ensure that criminal
justice administration is not delayed,” Mr. Buhari said.
“I am
worried that the expectation of the public is yet to be met by the judiciary
with regard to the removal of delay and the toleration of delay tactics by
lawyers.
“When
cases are not concluded the negative impression is given that crime pays. So
far, the corruption cases filed by government are not progressing as speedily
as they should in spite of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015
essentially because the courts allow some lawyers to frustrate the reforms
introduced by law,” he said.
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