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Saving The Judiciary …That Confab’s View On Rogue Judges
When, in his work, Don Quixote in England (1734) English Novelist Henry Fielding said, “I am as sober as a judge, he was unconsciously highlighting one of the most important attributes of men and women who sit in judgement over others. With powers as total as to pronounce death sentence or solitary confinement, a judge must, at all times, embrace solitude as a bride, in weighing facts before him.
In carrying out such duty, what should be uppermost is justice. That is why the English Jurist, Lord Gordon Hewart, (IN Court, 1923. In Jackson’s The Chef) insisted, “It is not merely of some importance but is of fundamental importance that Justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”.
This expectation had in recent times become a scarce commodity in Nigeria as justice now seems to be exclusive reward of the affluent, high and mighty. It is no secret that corruption had infiltrated the judiciary to such disturbing extents that very few consider courts as worthwhile avenues for dispute resolution. Infact, it is now commonplace for poor jobless youth to remain in prison as Awaiting Trial Members, for years, for a sin of wandering while a rich man, known to have embezzled billions of naira meant for others’ pension is merely slapped in the wrist and set free.
That there are indeed corrupt judges is not an issue for debate. But for how long should such judicial officers be allowed to mock the very temple of justice they swore to hold sacred?
This is why it came to very few as a surprise when the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar said last week that there would soon be an annual evaluation of judicial officers, particularly judges and magistrates with a view to weeding the judiciary of criminals in glorious robes. That, in itself attests to the fact that corruption has indeed taken root in the judiciary.
As the last hope of the common man, the judiciary cannot afford to be below board. It cannot compromise truth for pecuniary benefits and for the same, upturn justice to favour the affluent.
Most importantly, judges cannot afford to lose their expected sober mien in adjudicating over the worries of men. For to do so will be to court anarchy which comes when men and women lose faith in the courts and resort to jungle justice to settle scores.
It is in avoidance of these and to protect the judiciary from itself that the National Conference Committee on Civil society labour, youth and sports recently proposed 50 years imprisonment and loss of official entitlements for judges convicted of corruption and perversion of justice. The committee in its report presented last week Thursday by its chairman, Mrs Bola Ogunrimade said that it was such proposal that revived the Asian nations.
“Judiciary officers convicted or found guilty of corruption and perversion of justice should be liable to 50 years imprisonment and loss of all official entitlements including gratuities and pensions.”
The committee also proposed the strengthening of National Human Rights Commission, anti-corruption agencies and National Orientation Agency by making them independent in appointments, operations and funding. “Otherwise some judges will continue to upturn justice in favour of the have’s over the have nots.
Not too long ago, a commercial cab driver whose wife was caught with an influential politician, and confronted the strange man was arrested and charged to court for attempted murder. The driver remained in ATM for months and by the time he was released, his wife had finally moved in with his tormentor. But because the cab driver had to sign an undertaking never to get close to his wife’s new boyfriend or lose his freedom, he had continued to lick his wounds up till this day.
What of the celebrated land dispute between the indigent son of a farmer and a wealthy trader? The trader made sure that the young man was remanded in prison awaiting trial for more than six months only to find, upon return, a mansion on his late father’s farmland, the subject of the dispute.
These are only few examples of how miscarriage of justice occur and how the higher bidders did everything to buy justice, through corrupt judges.
But perhaps the most dangerous examples of miscarriage of justice are those involving political disputes arising from elections. Election tribunals are meant to right wrongs in the conduct of elections. But there are instances where those depended upon to do right place price tags on justice and in the end favour the willing and ready.
Often, politicians battle to win elections at all cost, take oath of office and pay through the state’s nose to defend a rigged election. Those who appear headstrong, and fail to meet necessary demands are shown the way out of office.
These are why even lawyers scramble for seats in Election Tribunals more because of the juicy packages that that kind of justice attracts than for the need to uphold truth. Infact, the temple of justice has become a shrine of corruption and the sacred blindfold of the innocent lady removed.
Such is the moral depravity that has permeated the judiciary. And so deep, only drastic measures like the options of the Chief Justice and the National Conference Committee on Justice can indeed check. But will these ever see the light of day? Why not.
After all, this will not be the first time the Chief Justice had lamented corruption and corrupt judges in the judiciary. Infact, not too long ago, some judges were suspected and others retired over related concerns.
However, what should also be considered as very worrisome are conflicting judgements on related issues. The legal tradition of referring to existing rulings on related cases is gradually being abandoned to meet the needs of the pay masters. So also are questionable injunctions and counter injunctions.
Today, it is commonplace for a judge to grant interlocutory injunction only to be countered by another injunction by another court of same jurisdiction.
These are why many believe that a lot needs to be done to cleanse the judiciary of the rot of corruption that has afflicted it. Reckless adjournments meant to frustrate lilitiqants is today common place, thanks to the rot. Another is the conspiracy of lazy lawyers and judges to protect high bidders.
Therefore, a re-orientation of the judiciary must be all-embracing, if any meaningful changes are to be expected. The judicial high command must strive to earn the trust and confidence of the ordinary Nigerian if it hopes to have facts concerning such rogue judges. Another is the ability to summon the needed political will to properly investigate, try and punish such corrupt judges without playing espirit de corp with such complaints and trials.
The judicial officers must themselves realise that unless bad eggs were fished out, they would share in the distrust and disrespect which often attend some courts on account of such corruption related deeds. Since oil that touches a finger quickly spreads to the rest, such self-examination will be helpful in the planned campaign.
However, it must be stated that independence of the judiciary may be key to stopping the occasional influence the executive arm enjoys over the judiciary. Even so, a good judge is depended upon to keep his head high above water, be sober and at all times defend justice. That would not only earn him respect and honour, it will, also discourage those who may seek to corrupt him to look the other way, fore-warned that the judge is indeed incorrigible.
My Agony is that Judges are part of the corrupt society that has lost respect for integrity, truth and honour. And so, some judges have become victims of the same rot which only few can resist.
Methinks the 50 year jail term for corrupt judicial officers will help check the steady drift of the temple of justice into oblivion.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Justice Aloma Mukhtar
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.