…Denies fraud allegation

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA — The  Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, NJI, Justice R. P. I. Bozimo, has described as malicious and outright falsehood, a report alleging massive fraud in the institute, which has the mandate of training judges across the federation.

Justice Bozimo, whose tenure was recently extended till the next four years by board of the NJI, which is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, blamed the report on her refusal to “share” funds allocated for the completion of projects at the institute.

Lawyers

The NJI boss, who was the Chief Judge of Delta State for eight years, revealed that some disgruntled staff of the institute had openly demanded that unspent funds that were appropriated to the institute, should be shared to them.

According to her, such funds were usually retired at the end of every fiscal year for proper accountability.

Justice Bozimo disclosed this when newly elected officials of National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, NAJUC, Abuja Chapter, paid her a courtesy visit at the institute, weekend.

While declaring her readiness to open account books of the establishment for scrutiny, the NJI boss said she would never share funds meant for projects with members of staff of the organisation.

Besides, she refuted claim in the report, which she said was published by a nation daily (not Vanguard) on July 5, that the alleged fraud led to a massive shake-up at the NJI, with the CJN, transferring two senior accountants at the institute out of Abuja.

In his remarks, Chairman of NAJUC, Abuja Chapter, Mr. Tunde Oyesina congratulated the NJI Administrator for her re-appointment, saying it was an indication that she has worked hard to uplift the institution.

“Nevertheless my lord, while we plead for continued cordial relationship between Judiciary reporters and the institute, it is our view as an association that the reward for good work is more work”, Oyesina added.

Among top officials at the meeting included the Director of Finance at the NJI, Mr. I. T. Gambo.