By Baba Yusuf
Abuja
Former Dean, Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, Prof. A. B. Ahmed has placed the delay in the administration of criminal justice in the country on the door steps of inadequate judges and general poor infrastructure.
Ahmed stated this yesterday in Abuja during the last phase of capacity building training the trainer workshop organised for the Nigeria police legal officers, prosecutors and investigators by the Force Headquarters in collaboration with BASTION chambers.
The varsity don who expressed worry over the spate of delay in the administration of criminal justice delivery said the number of judges in the country was highly disproportionate to the population of its citizens.
“A human being, however intelligent, has limited capacity to work. So do judges. There are more than 170 million people in Nigeria, and the approximate number of judges for the population is 35,000, which is grossly inadequate. The main reason for the shortage is caused by government delay in appointing new judges.
He further said lack of infrastructure and up to date technology grossly affected speedy justice delivery.
“In Nigeria today, there is no adequate infrastructure in the judicial system, especially the lower courts which carry the heavier loads in the circle of administration of justice.
The varsity don said a visit to many of the court rooms in Nigeria will reveal the state of dilapidation of the system. “Court rooms are inadequate, stationeries where available are rationed, record books are no more available and basic needs to make the system function are not available.”
Also speaking, the coordinator of the workshop, Barr Muhammad Kudu Nakodi said the training which is in its last phase, has equipped the officers with various techniques in the discharge of their duties, hinting that another phase of the training would target internet fraudsters.
