– Says FG already addressing inherited judicial infrastructural deficit
By Biola Lawal
Abuja (FLOWERBUDNEWS): The Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) Nweze David Umahi, has reassured Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing public access to justice by tacking inherited judicial infrastructure deficits.
Sen. Umahi gave the assurance in a
lecture he delivered on the 4th day of the 2024 Court of Appeal Justices Annual Conference held at the Court of Appeal Headquarters, Abuja on 12th December 2024, a statement, by Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works, disclosed.
The Honourable Minister whose paper was captioned: “the Importance of Judicial Infrastructure to Adjudication”, stated that improved accessibility to justice system through judicial infrastructure digitalization was an administrative imperative of government at all levels.
The Minister said that practical and decisive actions taken by the Renewed Hope administration to tackle accumulated judicial infrastructure deficits included provision of enduring access roads nationwide, modern court structures, increased power supply, other electronic infrastructure and judicial welfare being made available to enhance the operational efficiency of the Judiciary.
Sen. Umahi said that ”the Renewed Hope agenda of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is anchored on a transformational policy thrust aimed at revolutionizing the critical infrastructure that will stimulate socio-economic development.
”The infrastructure necessary to ensure delivery of justice and effective adjudication are a part of the policy thrust of Mr. President.”
The Minister said further; “Mr. President’s efforts to enhance the operational efficiency of the Judiciary through housing programmes, enhanced welfare package for the judicial officers, creation of enduring road infrastructure, investment in power and digital infrastructure should be commended.
”All these efforts will have a multiplier effect on the outcome of adjudication as it guarantees accelerated leaning, reduces cost of justice delivery and promotes the independence of the Judiciary.”
He described Judicial Infrastructure as crucial for the stimulation of effective and efficient justice delivery system in every democratic dispensation.
Sen. Umahi pointed out that improved access roads, court rooms/judicial quarters, power supply, electronic infrastructure will reduce delays in adjudication, promote qualitative and quantitative judicial productivity and ultimately improve justice delivery system.
He said, “The availability of the needed judicial infrastructure catalyzes equal and free access to justice as well as the speedy dispensation of justice. Infrastructure speaks a lot about enhancing judicial productivity, both qualitatively and quantitatively, as it makes justice delivery system accessible, cost effective, transparent, and accountable.”
The Honourable Minister praised the resilience of judicial officers in Nigeria and the profoundness of their adjudication despite inherent challenges.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of session and former Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu G. Agabi, (SAN, CON) commended the Judiciary in Nigeria for upholding the tenets of their constitutional mandate despite daunting challenges.
Agabi urged anti-corruption agencies to find more proactive and productive measures of fighting corruption, noting that government at all levels must be intentional in making Nigeria self reliant.
He said “We cannot proceed on the premise that we should build more courts or build more prisons or appoint more judges.
”No. The proper approach is to build more schools, make the nation self-reliant. The nation is not self-reliant. If the nation is self-reliant, the work of the judges will be reduced. But if we are not self-reliant, of course the kinds of problems that multiply work for the judges.
The judges have no lives of their own. They are suffering, I can tell you”. Panel of discussants on the paper presentation were Honourable Justice P. O. Ige, JCA (Rtd) and Honourable Justice J. G. Abundaga, JCA.
The Honourable Minister of Works was honoured at the event as ‘ Fellow of the Court of Appeal’ (FCA). (FLOWERBUDNEWS)
(For a comprehensive insight into the paper presentation, please follow us on facebook *@Special Adviser – Media to the Hon Minister of Works)
About Flowerbudnews
Established by Hon. Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), FLOWERBUDNEWS is a consortium of active veteran journalists, experienced Multimedia broadcast experts and image makers. We are drawn from both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry with a common determination to enhance the practice of responsible journalism.
Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.
Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars. He was an outstanding NAN Defence and War Correspondent for many years.
The retired NAN Acting Boss holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency.
He is a Co-Author of the book; ECOMOG, A BOLD ATTEMPT AT REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING! Edited Mrs Magaret Voght. The book remains the most. factual, detailed and authentic book on the ECOWAS sponsored ECOMOG Military operation.
