Chief Judge of Niger warn lawyers against frivolous petitions against judicial officers

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Minna Branch have been told to desist from filling frivolous petition against judicial officers, the chief judge of Niger State Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik has warned.

She said all petitions must be accompanied by verifying affidavits as the implication according to the chief Judge will amount to prosecution for perjury.

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the Minna Branch of the NBA annual law week held at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna, Justice Halima Ibrahim, noted that there is a consensus that the issue of corruption cannot be wished away.

She stated that the success of the administration of Justice system rests substantially on the independence of the Judiciary stating that it is topical issue and in the front burner of our national discourse.

She noted corruption allegations abound, whether real or infringement imagination of those making the allegations stressing the needs be a resolve to zero tolerance for corruption which may rear its ugly head in any form or manner.

She called on the forum to counsel participants on the need to key in to the effort adding that “corruption as we all know is not limited to illegal exchange of money for underserved favour.
“The failure of counsel to see to the prosecution of cases of his client with diligence and honesty”

The chief Judge admonished members of the Bar to ensure that in the course of prosecuting cases, they should strickly adhere to the etiquette and decorum expected from members of the legal profession.

She pointed out that the Bar has been supportive of the bench requesting for the sustainability of the cooperation noting that there has not been a history of animosity ” and I must commend the bar and its leadership for their supportive role”.

“Our interaction has been candid and sincere. We are looking forward to the bar and bench fora in March, this year and others in the subsequent quarters.

“Let me also remind the members of the Bar of the existence of the Multi-door Court house and small claims court in the state.” she asserted.

The Judiciary according to the chief Judge is making conscious efforts to provide a conducive environment for the administration of Justice in the state despite paucity of funds disclosing that at the Judicial Service Commission level “we have not abdicated from our responsibility of discipline erring Judicial officers and Judiciary staff.

Earlier the chairman, Minna Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Mohammed Abdulkadir Waziri described the Judiciary as the life-wire of democracy noting that it is unfortunate that Judiciary is on trial as it has been accused of exclusively working for the high and mighty in the society

According to the NBA Chairman, while judicial corruption is an impediment to the administration of justice in Nigeria, it is unfair to allege that the judiciary only works for the rich stating that there are many instances where powerful and influential people have been convicted in the courts for various offenses and some are still serving jail terms.

He noted that in all democracies worldwide, access to Justice is available to all, but it is entirely free more so he added administration of justice is all about proof of allegations by cogent evidence as the court is not a father Christmas that will hastily hand litigants their claims

He pointed out that litigants, especially claimants, have a responsibility of proving their cases to entitle them to reliefs sought insisting that this makes litigation to be technical and often necessitates engaging the service of lawyer with attendant financial expenses.