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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Olujinmi tasks judges on speedy trial of cases
ATTORNEY General and Justice Minister, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), on Monday urged judges in the country to prevent undue delay in the trial of cases before them.
He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital where judges of the Federal High Courts across the country gathered for a special session to mark the beginning of a new legal year.
It was the first time such occasion would be held outside the nation's capital.
The Justice Minister, who declared the ceremony open, reminded judges that they have enough constitutional authority and power to assist in shaping the society and the judicial system in line with the country's democratic system.
He said one of the critical challenges facing the judicial system at present is unnecessary delay in the administration of justice, regretting that criminal and civil cases remained pending for unjustifiable length of time.
The speech was delivered on his behaif by Chief Demien Dodo (SAN). The minister explained that since judges possess considerable power for regulation of procedure of proceedings through the issuance of direction there was the need for them to maintain greater over sight and control of proceedings before them.
He said: "Left to lawyers proceedings may go on for even as long as the interest of their client is prejudiced.
"Some lawyers are known for deliberately delaying cases by bringing spurious applications."
According to Olujinmi, another challenge confronting the judiciary is how to reduce the large number of people awaiting trial.
His words: "If the courts begin to frown at ill-prepared cases and spurious applications for adjournments, practitioners would think twice before making them."
The minister assured that the Federal Government would do anything possible to release fund due to the judiciary on time.
Olujinmi was glad that granting of frivolous 'exparte motions', which was a great concern to the judiciary, had now become a thing of the past.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Roseline Ukeje, said that as to ensure speedy trial, it had been resolved that judges should be empowered to strike out any case that had been adjourned twice on flimsy excuses.
According to her, the legal year, among others, was meant to review the past performance and plan for the way forward.
Ukeje explained that Abeokuta was chosen as venue for the programme because many prominent lawyers hail from the town.
The Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akin Osibajo in his address urged judges to brace up because the coming years would be more challenging as a result of mergers and acquisitions which would attend the recent policy on capitalisation of banks.
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