Chief Justice Aloma Mukhtar on Monday warned that stiffer sanctions would be imposed on judges found guilty of any form of misconduct.

The CJN gave the warning in an address at the opening session of the 2012 biennial conference of all Nigerian judges of the lower courts organised by the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.

She noted that, during her days as a Magistrate, “Our words were our bonds and to call the integrity of a Judge to question was then a taboo as every Judge whether of the Lower Court or the Higher Court lived above board.”

She, however, expressed regrets that the situation had worsened, warning that appropriate sanctions would be imposed on judges found guilty of misconduct.

According to her, reports of bribery among judicial officers have become the norm.

She added, “However, it would appear that things have changed drastically between then and now. Heads of courts receive reports and petitions concerning some judges of the lower courts which are rather difficult to believe.

“Allegations of corruption and bribery, especially in exchange for grant of bail are almost becoming rampant.

“There have also been complaints regarding some of you on laziness in the discharge of your judicial duties, lateness in sitting and non-sitting at all and so on.

“Let me add however that the Judicial Service Commissions of the various jurisdictions will not hesitate to administer appropriate sanctions to any judge of the lower courts found wanting.”

Speaking on the theme of the conference, ‘Judicial reforms and the administration of justice,’ the CJN urged the participants to have reformed hearts.

She said, “I urge that you reform yourself and allow yourself to be reformed by amending your conduct that bring dishonour to the judiciary as an institution.

“Let your conduct be seen to be both ethical and impeccable.

“I urge you to live above board; sit promptly at 9am; be fair to litigants and other patrons of your courts; lead your members of staff by example and by so doing,  the image of the judiciary will continue to receive high rating in the opinion of the public.”

On her days as a lower court judge, the CJN said, “Going down memory lane, I recall with pride that some decades ago, I was a judge of the lower court and a magistrate to be precise.

“I recall with nostalgia our commitment, loyalty and dedication to our adjudicatory duties at the time. I also recall that the current luxuries of the courtrooms (inadequate as they may be now), the perks of office and the glamour within which your offices are now associated were not available to us then.

“Yet one cannot compare the meagre salaries and allowances of my days on the lower court with the current salaries and other perquisites of office of this era.”

 

Posted by admin on Nov 20 2012. Filed under Judiciary, Latest Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry