The Chief Judge of the Katsina State High Court of Justice, Musa Danladi Abubakar has emphasised the need for collaboration among stakeholders in the justice sector to promote peace and security in the society.
Delivering a keynote address at the Katsina Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) One Day stakeholders Conference, he said implementation of justice sector reforms cannot work effectively unless there is proper and effective collaboration among actors and stakeholders within the justice sector.
According to him, the age long ‘adage’ that “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied” has been of concern to all those who come in contact with justice delivery in Nigeria, thus there is urgent need to address the speed of justice delivery among all stakeholders in the justice sector.
“It is time that we all rise to the challenges and ensure that we move the Justice Sector forward, by opening Gateway to Peace, Security and Development and for the benefit of our citizens”, he added.
The Conference is part of the Law Week activities by the Lawyers of the branch, themed, Collaboration Between the Bar Bench and Traditional Institutions: A gateway To Peace, Security and Development, held at the Local Government Service Commission’s conference hall in Katsina.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Katsina Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Barrister Shafi’u Umar Karfi described the theme of the conference as timely and critical, aimed at deliberating and charting progressive paths under it.
Karfi maintained that society now a days lives in a time of increasing security issues, economic challenges and weakening social cohesion, hence, lawyers, judges and other stakeholders in the justice delivery system should embrace a collective responsibility to confront the challenges bedevilling the system not as a separate entity, but as partners in the service of justice and development.
“As we engage in the lectures and plenaries today, let us interrogate not just laws and policies, but also our own roles.
“Let this gathering go beyond formality, let it bring innovation, partnership and practical resolution. Let it reignite the old – age synergy between customary law and formal law, while adapting to modern realities,” he said.
Delivering his good will message, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Afam Osigwe, SAN, commended the leadership and planning committee of the Katsina Branch for curating a theme that not only reflects the current realities of legal practice but challenges practitioners to reflect deeply on the future of the profession.
He emphasised that in the face of rapid global change, economic uncertainties, and technological disruption, the legal profession in Nigeria must not lose sight of its ethical foundations. “It is not enough to innovate or expand practice areas,” he said. “We must return to the core of what makes us lawyers, integrity, professionalism, and fidelity to the rule of law.”
He noted that the call “Let’s Be Lawyers Again” is a timely and urgent reminder to uphold the Rules of Professional Conduct.
In a paper presentation, the Katsina State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa emphasised the need for an effective collaboration from the members of the Bar toward ensuring the blood of the innocent persons does not flow in vain in the hand of bandits
He said the lawyers and courts of justice have a vital role to play in the administration of justice among humanity.
He appealed to the lawyers to complement the effort of governments in ensuring that the culprits face the wrath of the law as a result of their bad actions against innocent citizens.
“We have to take charge as responsible people because bandits are killing people every day, therefore “You should always try to do the right thing in the court, forgetting about material gains or relationship with the suspects and allow the law to achieve its cause”, Danmusa said.
Hauwa Abu