The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has said the outcry by a section of the country that the judiciary was corrupt could not just be wished away.
Justice Abdulmalik made the comment in a message at the opening of Bar Week of the Nigeria Bar Association of Niger State branch held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.
“Corruption allegations abound, whether real or in the imagination of those making the allegations” she declared, adding that there was the need for the judiciary to have zero tolerance for corruption which may rear its ugly head in any form or manner.
“Corruption as we all know is not limited to illegal exchange of money for underserved favour, the failure of counsels to see to the Prosecution of cases of his client with diligence and honesty is also corruption,” she said.
Justice Abdulmalik, therefore, admonished members of the Bar to ensure that in the course of prosecuting cases, they strictly adhered to the etiquette and decorum expected from members of the profession.
She appreciated the “candid and sincere” working relationships between members of the bar and the bench before also saying, “We are looking forward to the bar and bench fora in March this year and others in subsequent years.
“Let me also remind the members of the Bar of the existence of the Multi-door Court House and Small Claims Court in the state” she added.
The judiciary, according to the chief judge, is making conscious efforts to provide a conducive environment for the administration of Justice in the state despite paucity of funds.
She pointed out that at the Judicial Service Commission level, “we have not abdicated from our responsibility of disciplining erring judicial officers and judiciary staff.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Minna Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Mohammed Abdulkadir Waziri, had described the judiciary as the life-wire of democracy.
He noted that, “It is unfortunate that judiciary is on trial as it has been accused of exclusively working for the high and mighty in the society”.
Laleye Dipo
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