Jonathan welcomes Nigerian judicial reforms

Goodluck Jonathan
The Nigerian President

Jonathan welcomes Nigerian judicial reforms

The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has welcomed the judicial reform recently introduced by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher.

The president said the development symbolises the determination of the judicial arm of government to take a dispassionate look at itself and embark on necessary changes that will provide a platform to effectively deal with overall internal challenges.

He stated this at the official commissioning of the ultramodern complex of the Federal High Court, Minna, the capital of Niger State in northern Nigeria.

He expressed the hope that all stakeholders would cooperate and contribute in making a change in the nation’s judicial system.

Faith in judicial system

Jonathan, who restated the Government’s determination to fulfil its social contract with the entire citizenry as enunciated in his administration's transformation agenda, noted that the commissioning of the Federal High Court complex in Minna, went beyond the opening of the physical structure, saying "it is a vivid demonstration of our enduring faith in the judicial system."

He was quoted as saying: "It is the entrenchment of the rule of law and the consolidation of the democratic process. We are determined to strengthen discipline, the frontier of fair trial, equity and justice to all Nigerians in ensuring speedy and easily accessible judiciary. And to do this, we have to make sure that the judiciary is provided with all the support needed to facilitate optimal performance."

The president, however, noted that the prevailing situation in the political and socio-economic fabrics of the country were evidently challenging, stating that these challenges were capable of undermining the judicial process.

He said, "There are rapidly changing realities both in the judiciary and modern day criminality among which is local and international terrorism including cyber crimes as well as cross-border crimes. We are, however, determined to confront these daunting challenges head on.”

NP/Adekusibe/Ekata