President Muhammadu Buhari on Moday re-assured stakeholders in the judicial arm that his government was committed to justice sector reform.
The President gave this assurance at the opening ceremony of the 2019 All Nigeria Judges Conference of the superior courts held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is; Sustaining Democracy Through Effective and Efficient Administration of Justice.
The conference also had in attendance the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN and other eminent jurists.
Buhari observed that the role of judges cannot be overemphasized in a constitutional democracy, saying that his administration was committed to reforming the justice sector in the common interest of Nigerians.
He said, “It is our common resolve at the executive arm that the three arms of government work towards achieving common goal.
“In doing this, we strongly support that the judges should be supported in order to enhance their work and reduce the work load.
While reminding the judges that economic progress and foreign investment can only be guaranteed in an atmosphere of rule of law and justice, he further charged the judicial arm to maintain their efficiency and uphold high level of integrity in the discharge of their duties.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, described the theme of the conference as apt, saying that the judiciary has continued to make giant strides in playing its constitutional role despite burgeoning challenges.
Muhammad who tasked the judges on the need to make sacrifice added: “Commendably, it is worthy to note, that our judge have remained upright; churning out the best judgment at the election tribunals,”
He thereafter assured that the judiciary was committed to the consolidation of the country’s democratic status, assuring that the judiciary remains a partner in the in the current hard stance against corruption.
Giving her opening remarks earlier, the Administrator, National Judicial Institute, Justice Rosaline Bozimo told the audience that since its establishment by a Decree in 1991, the forum she noted has contributed to the enrichment of the judiciary as the third arm of government.
She then assured that the NJI would continue to improve participation and drive greater capacity in the judiciary.
