— Requires Electoral Reforms to Strengthen Nigeria’s Democracy
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
The Akure Department of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) has criticized the follow of the manager arm of presidency awarding contracts on behalf of the judiciary, describing it as a violation of judicial independence.
Talking forward of the department’s annual Regulation Week, NBA Akure chairman Mr. Friday Umar stated it was inappropriate for governors to supervise contracts for the development of courtroom buildings or the acquisition of automobiles for judges.
“For democracy to thrive, there have to be a judiciary that delivers justice with out worry or favour,” Umar stated. He emphasised that electoral justice is important, noting that when electoral processes are flawed, the ensuing authorities can also be compromised.
The annual Regulation Week will deal with the theme: “Nigeria: Quest for a Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders.” Former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is scheduled to ship the keynote handle.
The occasion may even function a session on “Selling Electoral Justice by Legislative and Judicial Programs”, led by Dr. Remi Olatubora (SAN), with Olumide Olujimi (SAN) and Adamson Adeboro (SAN) as discussants. Umar stated the communiqué on the finish of the Regulation Week will include suggestions aimed toward strengthening each electoral and judicial programs.
Umar additionally known as for reforms to streamline pre-election litigations, stressing that political events that violate democratic rules ought to face authorized penalties. On conflicting judgments from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, he stated the Nationwide Judicial Council (NJC) is making efforts to curb discussion board procuring.
“Typically conflicting choices come up from variations in judges’ views,” Umar defined. “Nonetheless, the NJC has launched tips to forestall litigants from transferring circumstances from one jurisdiction to a different seeking sympathetic judges. Instances ought to be filed the place the reason for motion occurred to protect judicial integrity.”
Whereas commending the Ondo State authorities for establishing a brand new judicial advanced named after the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Umar emphasised that such initiatives ought to ideally be undertaken by the judiciary itself to safeguard its independence.
On electoral and judiciary reforms, Umar pressured the necessity for pressing measures to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and restore public confidence. He lamented persistent flaws within the electoral system, noting {that a} clear and unbiased judiciary is significant for democratic governance.
“As legal professionals, we now have our duties and obligations, and so do the judiciary and the federal government. Democracy thrives the place the judiciary is unbiased. The electoral system additionally determines the legislature and government; if the method is flawed, the outcomes might be too,” he stated.
Umar additional acknowledged that the continued modification of the Electoral Act could be intently monitored by the NBA, with suggestions from the Regulation Week communiqué directed to the federal government and related stakeholders. He additionally highlighted the necessity to streamline pre-election litigations arising from celebration primaries, which frequently escalate to the Supreme Court docket.
The NBA chairman concluded by stressing the important function of residents in preserving democracy. “When a voter accepts cash to promote his vote, he turns into a part of the bigger drawback. The future of democracy is within the fingers of all of us,” Umar stated.
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