…says ICT knowledge to soon become a pre-requisite for promotion of Judges

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA—–The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on Monday, warned that the only way for the judiciary to continue to uphold its independence and credibility before Nigerians, was for Judges and Magistrates to show “red card to corruption and acts of professional and ethical misconduct within our courts”.

The CJN, who stated this while flagging-off the 2016 orientation course for newly appointed Magistrates, further stressed the need for members of the Bench to be proficient in the use of Information and Communications Technology, ICT.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed

He maintained that e-proficiency will soon become a pre-requisite for the promotion of Judges across the federation.

“In furtherance of this, the judiciary recently adopted the use of new technology through the introduction of the Nigerian Case Management System, NCMS. This is an innovative case management system that is being piloted at the Supreme Court for eventual roll-out to the strata of courts in the earliest possible time.

“As such, you will be wise not to be left behind like a fossil while the rest of the judiciary makes evolutionary leap into an automated judiciary”, the CJN enjoined the new Magistrates.

Besides, Justice Mohammed said there was need to provide proper orientation and continuous capacity building avenues for new and serving Magistrates, saying they are not only “the face of justice” at the grassroots, but hear cases upon which “the safety and cohesion of our communities depend”.

He said: “I must remind us all that the 21st century judicial officer is faced with a bigger caseload than in previous decades. At the same time, one is also faced with the ever present clamour and demands for quick, affordable and efficient dispensation of justice.

“Given the increased complexity of disputes in our country, the judiciary is now more hard pressed to keep the balance between chaos and order. How we maintain this balance will determine our credibility, our integrity and indeed our posterity.

“You will therefore agree with me that we must doubtless rise to the task in order to justify the confidence reposed by the people in us, as the hierophants of justice”.

While encouraging the new Magistrates to judge impartially without fear or favour, the CJN said they should always be in control of their courts and not be swayed by lawyers, litigants and their staff.

Theme of the Orientation Course which held at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, with the participating Magistrates drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, was, ‘Promoting Excellence in Administration of Justice at the Lower Courts”.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice R.I.P. Bozimo, said the main objective of the Course was to afford the opportunity for participants to get inducted into the Magistracy and fully acquaint themselves with the task therein.

She implored the new Magistrates to shun all forms of corrupt practices and tendencies, saying the various Judicial Service Commissions/Committees would not hesitate to deal decisively with any erring Magistrate.

“The concern and commitment of the NJI is to raise the quality of your performance through adequate training and exposure”, Justice Bozimo added.