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CJN Muhammad wants better welfare for judicial officers

The  Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Muhammad has urged  the Legislative and the Executive arms of government  to fully provide the Judiciary arm with what was due, to enable it discharge its duty.

Muhammad, who was confirmed the CJN on Wednesday, made the call when he appeared  for screening before the  Senate Committee of the whole.

He decried the working conditions of judicial officials in the country, adding that it was important for judges to have structures that befits  their status.

The CJN said that it was a challenge securing offices for new judges due to be appointed at the apex court.

He  also decried  the  remuneration  rate of judicial officials in the country.

The new CJN, however, said he would project the Nigerian Judiciary to greater heights if appointed as CJN.

He said this could be archived via the collective efforts of the executive and the legislature.

Muhammad said it was important for the legislature to take a holistic steps on how best to improve some of  nations’ laws.

He said the duty of the judiciary was to interpret the laws, nothing that the buck of ensuring the success of the judiciary lies with the executive and the legislature.

“We don’t talk, we leave everything to the executive and legislature.

“We never ask, so we are very careful and remain contended by the provision made for us.

“We never go begging and I would not want anybody to come and beg me, we are contended for what is given to us,” he said

The CJN said that there were some bottlenecks militating against the smooth operation of the judiciary.

He said the judiciary would bring proposal for amendments to some of the laws.

Muhammad, who also responded  to questions bordering on  awaiting trials,  said it was the duty of the legislature to make the laws better.

He urged  the National Assembly and States  Houses of Assemblies to do a holistic review of  the criminal justice laws to adequately take  care of corrupt persons in the country.

On judgment delivered by the Supreme  Court based on technicalities, Muhammad said several of the laws were dependent on technicalities.

He said the judgment on technicalities  were delivered  based on  the rules of interpretation .

“We have technicalities in our laws and we rely  on  experts to interpret the rules,” Muhammed said.Some senators, who posed questions during the screening exercise includes George Sekibo, (PDP Rivers), Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti) Abba Moro,(PDP -Benue,)Ovie -Omo- Agege (APC – Delta), among others.

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, said the senate would work  with the Judiciary to address the issue of poor remuneration of judicial officials

 

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