House of Representatives Moves To Restore Public Confidence In Judiciary

The House of Representatives has called for the Review of Nigeria’s Justice and Judicial System.

This will help to Restore Public Trust in the Judiciary and also address the delay in providing Justice.

The House is taking a significant step to address the delays in justice delivery in Nigeria towards restoring public confidence in the judiciary.

The House has therefore mandated its Committee on Constitutional Review to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the judicial system.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on the, “The Need to Review Nigeria’s Justice and Judicial System in Order To Restore Public Trust in the Judiciary and Address the delay in providing Justice” moved by Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba.

Leading the debate on the motion, Mr. Ayuba said that the Judiciary was the branch of government constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of prompt dispensation of justice and interpreting the laws made by the legislature.

He also noted hat the judicial powers are constitutionally vested in various categories of courts legally created by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts of the National Assembly, and the laws of different State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.

“One of the elements of fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is the prompt determination of any civil rights and obligations of any person or authority within reasonable time by court or tribunal established by law.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) introduced provisions for quick dispensation of justice, establishing a time frame for election matters, and making the Court of Appeal the final court (in some cases) to hear appeals,” the motion said.

He expressed worries that delays in the judicial system call for concern and gradually undermining the public’s trust in the judiciary.

According to him, in some States, cases in trial courts that should be resolved within months last four to five years before judgement is delivered especially long-term detentions of suspects, prolonged chieftaincy disputes, and unresolved commercial litigation, which pose significant challenges to democratic and economic progress.

The House said the public’s confidence in the court system may be damaged if immediate action was not taken to address the backlog in the justice system and administration, which could force people to decide to take law into their hands.

The Committee is expected to report back in four weeks for further legislative action.

Confidence Okwuchi