Tinubu Urge To Reform Nigerian Judiciary

By Babatunde Solanke

The Managing of Director and Publisher of Networktimes,com.ng, an online publication, Mr Ranti Thomas, has called on President Bola Tinubu to carry out a massive reform of the judiciary at the national level, especially in the area of remuneration for judges.

He said that it is saddening that the poor remuneration of judges in the federal level is still a major problem that Tinubu’s administration needs to look into urgently.

Thomas made the call on Wednesday, 13 July, 2023, while speaking to newsmen after the 2023 Annual Lecture of the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC) held at the Muson Centre, Lagos State.

Thomas said with Tinubu’s election as president, the technical capacity of the Nigerian legal system and judiciary should be improved upon to allow expeditious dispensation of justice.

He also advocated for a strong judiciary so that it can be bastion of hope for the common man and for democracy to thrive.

He also added that innovations such as preventing parties from stopping/staying a matter from being heard or tried, whilst that party pursues an interlocutory appeal; a cost regime which imposes stiff costs for causing adjournments on the date fixed for trial or hearing of an application; introduction of electronic service of court processes; virtual hearing;; stiff penalties for filing frivolous suits, among others should be improved upon

He said the reform of the judiciary in Lagos State carried out by Tinubu is second to none in Nigeria and it was copied by some other states in the federation.

“During his time as Lagos State Governor, Tinubu made carried out the reform of the state judiciary when the immediate past vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo was then the state attorney general and commissioner for justice,” Thomas , who conferred with honorary award at the event, said.

“The reform contains several innovations such as preventing parties from stopping/staying a matter from being heard or tried, whilst that party pursues an interlocutory appeal; a cost regime which imposes stiff costs for causing adjournments on the date fixed for trial or hearing of an application; introduction of electronic service of court processes; virtual hearing; court sitting on weekends and public holidays; stiff penalties for filing frivolous suits, among others,” he added.

“Tinubu was given accolade by stakeholders in the judiciary then for the massive reform of the state judiciary. The reform was then copied by some states in the federation. I am using this medium to call on President to do a massive reform in judiciary at the federal level.

Speakers at the event agreed that democracy depends on, among others, a strong judiciary, media and security agencies, judicial and media experts said on Thursday.

They tasked President Tinubu to make strong, well funded institutions rather than strong men, a hallmark of his administration.

Those who spoke at the event included Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo (Retd), Mr. Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) Mr. Abiodun Olatunji (SAN) and a former Editor of The Nation newspaper, Mr. Lekan Otunfodunrin.

The event is themed “Birthing a new Nigeria: Role of the Judiciary, Security Agencies and the Media in a Democratic Society”

Guest speaker Olatunji, who delivered a paper on the theme, emphasised the importance of the Judiciary in a democracy, just as he also identified several fundamental issues the government must resolve for the judiciary to become strong and independent.

These included merit-based appointment of justices/judges, security of justices/judges’ tenures, establishment/strengthening of state judicial councils, improved welfare of Judicial officers, sustenance of Judicial financial autonomy, while intimidation if judges must end 

Justice Taiwo agreed, noting that poor remuneration for retired justices is a problem, particular for federal judges.

He revealed that his total pension as a retired justice is below N500,000, an amount inadequate to meet his needs in the current poor economy.

“Federal judges are badly treated after retirement, compared to state judges. Lagos State has tried for retired judges. Lagos gives retired judges allowances for life, buys them cars, sends them gifts as if they’re in service.”My take home every month is less than N500,000,” Justice Taiwo said.

The judge further noted that there is a symbiotic relationship between the judiciary and the press with regard to information. 

“One makes sure that the constitutional provision for freedom of information is enforced, the other disseminates the information as the case may be,” he said, just as he also emphasized the importance of the press in everyday life.

“We owe a lot to journalists because the government at times has to read (the papers) and come to terms with what the people are really thinking and they can’t get the people’s feelings unless they read the papers and listen to the news. It is from there they’ll gage the tempo. 

“Unfortunately, in most cases some governments don’t care. Whether the tempo is high or whether the country is in flames, they don’t care; they do what they want. History will judge everyone, including the governed and the government,” Justice Taiwo said.

Mr. Oyeyipo also made a case for strengthening the Judiciary, noting that it was critical to a constitutional democracy.

“There can’t be a democracy without the judiciary,” he said.

Mr. Otunfodunrin harped on the need for the Executive to understand the need for separation of powers, saying it is a key distinguishing factor between a democracy and a military regime.

Earlier, NAJUC Chairman Peter Fowoyo emphasized the importance of key sectors to fulfill their constitutional roles in the country’s interest.

Fowoyo tasked the judiciary and security agencies on the name to step up their game.

“To birth a new Nigeria therefore, the judiciary, the security agencies and indeed the media must not only identify their roles and play it accordingly, they must also work together for the betterment of all Nigerians,” Fowoyo said.

“We thank the judiciary for the support given to us and the work they render to the society. We believe that the third arm of government can do better in the dispensation of justice.

“To our security agencies, we wish to thank you all, not just for coming here today but, also for your commitment to ensure that our society is safe to live in. We dare say, that you can do better if you work together as friends, not as foes. 

“The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reiterated that you must share intelligence gathering and work together as a team. This cannot be overemphasized.”

Te event also feature the installation of Mr. Olatunji as a patron of NAJUC and Chief Felix Fagbohungbe SAN as garnd patron by Justice Taiwo.

Three NAJUC members – Joshua Morakinyo, Innocent Anaba, Wale Igbontade , Akeem Ishola and Thomas were also conferred with honorary awards for their contributions to the association.