President Tinubu's address, delivered by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, during the opening session of the all Nigerian judges conference of the superior courts on November 13, emphasized the need to refrain from unwarranted criticism of the Judiciary, especially concerning decisions on political cases.
The President also advocated for the appointment of appellate court Justices from outside the bench. In the speech, he directed the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to review its previous recommendation of a 114 percent increase in the remuneration of judicial officers, aiming for a more realistic rate aligned with the current economic situation.
The President expressed optimism that the review process would be concluded promptly, assuring the independence of the Judiciary. Acknowledging challenges faced by the Nigerian Judiciary, he commended its resilience in upholding the rule of law and democracy.
While acknowledging occasional misgivings, the President highlighted the crucial role the Judiciary plays as the last hope of the common man and the defender of the rule of law. He recognized the Judiciary's evolution from colonial times to its current esteemed status.
President Tinubu applauded the Judiciary's achievements in nation-building, both domestically and globally, citing landmark judgments that have strengthened democratic processes. He called for a broader perspective on the Judiciary, urging actors not to solely analyze it through a narrow political lens.
Addressing challenges identified by the National Judicial Council, including inefficiencies in the appointment process, lack of transparency, and delays in justice delivery, the President pledged commitment to address these issues. He emphasized the importance of the Judiciary's self-regulation and called for its continued commitment to promoting socio-economic and political development.
President Tinubu urged the judiciary to remain above board, emphasizing the importance of the Biennial All Judges Conference as a platform to address challenges and shape the future of the judiciary. He highlighted the role of knowledge in empowering the judiciary and charged the institute as its intellectual arm to ensure the consistent implementation of the national judicial policy.
Recognizing the judiciary's significant role in economic transformation, President Tinubu stressed the need to build investor confidence through fair and speedy resolution of commercial disputes. He proposed the appointment of qualified private legal practitioners to the appellate courts, asserting that this move would further strengthen the judiciary.
In conclusion, the President reaffirmed his commitment to discharging obligations to the judiciary and expressed anticipation of contributing to the improvement of the welfare of judicial officers.
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