By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

THE urgent need to modernise judicial practice and procedure in various courts across the country, dominated discourse at the 2017 Refresher Course for Judges and Kadis, held at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in Abuja on Monday, March 13,2017.

In his opening address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, aside emphasising how imperative it was to make Justice more accessible and affordable to Nigerians, equally harped on the need for Judges to embrace Information and Communication Technology, ICT.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen

According to him, “For the Nigerian Judiciary to remain the hope of everyman, we must be dynamic by keeping in-tune with modern techniques in the administration of law and justice”. The theme of the refresher course, which had Judges and Kadis drawn from various states of the federation was ‘Modernising Judicial Practice and Procedure’.

The course is a yearly programme that is organised by the NJI in fulfilment of its statutory mandate of providing continuing education for all categories of judicial officers, as captured under section 3(2) (b) of the NJI Act Cap N55 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

While flagging the event off, the CJN, who was represent by the second highest ranking Justice at the Supreme Court, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, said it was necessary for Judges to acquaint themselves with current trends and judicial best practices and procedures in their adjudication of cases.

He maintained that ICT knowledge would greatly assist them to enhance the performance of their constitutional responsibility. “The use and effect of Information and Communication Technology in the modern world has come to stay”, the CJN insisted. More so, he used the occasion to reiterate his call for total insulation of the judiciary from external influences, stressing that Nigerians deserve a fearless and independent judiciary.

He described independence of the judiciary as one of the foundations of democratic values in every civilised society. He said it was imperative for Judges across the federation to dispense Justice without fear or favour. “It is therefore our collective responsibility to remain committed in promoting the independence of the judiciary for impartial administration of justice”.

Likewise, Justice Onnoghen urged participants at the refresher course to remain steadfast in tackling the challenges of inefficiencies in operation of courts, saying Judges must shun all forms of corruption capable of exposing the judiciary to public opprobrium.

“We must all put our hands on deck to maintain and observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and respect for the third arm of Government is sustained”, he added.

On her part, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Roselin Bozimo, said the Institute remained committed in discharging its mandates of organising and conducting training programmes and courses that would update the knowledge base of judicial officers on new trends in law, practice and procedures.

“In a modern judicial practice, there is the need for a better coordination and cooperation among the major players or stakeholders in the Justice sector administration. Hence, the inclusion of the topic ‘The Need for Justice Sector Coordination: Role of Stakeholders’.

“A judicial officer well versed in modern practice and procedure, is of great benefit to the judiciary and the larger society. It is important to note that the Judiciary has moved towards establishing programmes and policies necessary to ensure access to Justice which will improve the general administration of the courts.

“Thus, there is a need for our judicial officers to be abreast with current topical issues in the field of ICT”, Justice Bozimo added.

The yearly refresher course provides a platform for Judges in the country to interact and exchange ideas on how to move the Justice sector of the Nigerian economy forward.