The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, has urged judges to reassert their contempt powers to safeguard the integrity of themselves and their courts against damaging falsehoods.
Justice Tsoho stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2024/2025 legal year of the court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Justice Tsoho emphasised the growing trend of using media platforms to criticise the decisions of judges with malicious campaigns of bribery without proof, adding that the judges’ reluctance to employ the potent weapon of contempt should not be seen as a sign of ignorance or cowardice.
“The ugly trend must be halted if the judiciary is to survive. This is a task for well-meaning members of the legal profession, who owe their lives to the profession.
“A situation where the legally recognised means of challenging court decisions is being increasingly sidelined in favour of approach by mob-mentality is dangerous and worrisome.
“It is more so, as those promoting it are not well-informed but act in concert with some disgruntled lawyers. It is very sad that certain lawyers, with a few senior lawyers among them, have willingly offered themselves as errand boys to some politicians to malign judges,” the judge said.
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During his address at the forum, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, highlighted the widening gap between societal expectations and perceptions of judicial performance, noting that the courts often fail to safeguard the rights and interests of the less privileged, particularly in electoral and political matters.
He also requested a reform in the digital payment systems for filing of cases in the court and the frequent transfer of judges within short periods, which he said affects justice delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Benchers, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi called on the judiciary, the political class, economic managers, and others to repent from corruption for the progress of the nation.
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