Chief Justice of Nigeria Expressed Disappointment Over Inefficient Financial Allocation To The Judiciary

 

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has expressed disappointment over the impact of inefficient financial allocation to the judiciary in the nation’s budget.

He, however, urged stakeholders in the judiciary to map out ways of ensuring efficient operation of the courts despite the budgetary challenges.

According to the CJN, current budgetary challenges being experienced in the country affects the judiciary more than the executive and the legislature.

Mahmud, according to a paper e-mailed to journalists on Monday evening in Abuja, spoke while addressing participants at the 2016 refresher course for Chief Registrars, Deputy Chief Registrars, Directors and Secretaries of Judicial Service Commissions/Committee with the theme: “Ensuring efficiency and transparency in judicial administration”. It was organised by the National Judicial Institute.

He said, “The current budgetary challenges permeating the nation, no doubt, affects the judiciary more than any other arm of government and remains a perennial challenge to judicial independence and the effective performance of our constitutional roles.

“Nonetheless, despite the difficulties, you must ensure that your policies are holistic, calculated to improve the credibility and effectiveness of your respective jurisdictions specifically and the entire system of justice administration as a whole.”

He urged them to shun unethical practices, including corrupt acts and abuse of office, capable of impacting negatively the public image of the judiciary.

The CJN advised participants to always be guided by their codes of service and work to ensure the effectiveness of the justice administration system.

Mahmud said, “As the ‘heart’ of the court system, the chief registrar and/or secretary must be honest, a person of exceptional integrity and decorum and an expert in financial, administrative and social matters.”