A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, has urged the judiciary to be self-accounting in the year 2025.
Ataene spoke with our Correspondent on Monday in Lagos on his expectations from the judiciary in the New Year.
According to him, it is of utmost importance that the Nigerian judiciary becomes truly self-accounting in the New Year, as a first step to attaining true independence.
He called for a clear definition of financial autonomy for the judiciary, which according to him, forms a crucial part of self-dependence.
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“In 2025, I will like to see the judiciary as being self-accounting, defining the much “mouthed” autonomy which is integral for optimum performance of the bench.
“No one, no matter how highly placed in the society, should be allowed to interfere with judgments of any court of law.
“The bench should be allowed to reach their verdicts according to the facts before them, without subverting the constitution with improvised meanings of words that should be literally interpreted,” he said
According to him, in 2025, there is a dire need for the appointment of judges to be based strictly on merit.
“In 2025, we must ensure that the appointment of judicial officers should exclude relatives of judges and their cronies. They could be qualified but for now, other citizens equally qualified, should be considered.
“Indeed, I will like appointments to be made seamlessly without recommendations from anywhere. It should simply be based on performance after written and oral interview,” he said.
He further noted that for the apex courts, opinion poll of prominent lawyers and judges should be conducted, with popular opinion considered for the apex bench, according to geographical spread.
“More importantly, in 2025, there must be promptness, thoroughness and impartiality of judgments that will be glaring to all.
“More so, the prisons must be seen as real correctional centres, churning out reformed detainees every year; they should be decongested,” he said.
Ataene also urged the magistrates and judges to favourably consider bail applications as a call to duty, depending on the merits of each case.
“Stringent bail conditions should be jettisoned in favour of liberal terms,” he said.
He said that in all circumstances, the judiciary must stand up to its tenets and ethics, without minding whose ox is gored.
