The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has called on magistrates to behave well in preserving the integrity and respect for the independence of the judiciary.
While advising them against unnecessary delay in the dispensation of justice, the CJN said, “The essence of justice is to achieve it swiftly and fairly; the duration must be intricately balanced with the outcome such that delay is not occasioned and the integrity of the outcome is not compromised.”
The CJN, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, stated these in his keynote address delivered in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the 2023 induction course for 100 newly appointed magistrates.
The conference, with the theme: “Strengthening access to quality justice delivery in the magistrates’ courts,” was jointly organised with the Judicial College of England and Wales.
The Judicial College of England and Wales was represented by Deputy Senior District Judge, Tanweer Ikram, and Circuit Judge and International Coordinator for the Judicial College, Rachel Karp.
“Judicial training should be provided throughout careers and must be multidisciplinary towards enhancing integrity, impartiality, expertise, and accountability,” Karp said.
The administrator of NJI, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, warned the magistrates to “shun all forms of corrupt practices, bearing in mind the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers and the Oath of Office, which you have all sworn to.”
