From.Umar Danladi Ado,Sokoto
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) has described Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as a true democrat who demonstrated support to the ongoing federal government drive for judicial autonomy/independence .
Mr. Malami stated this at the official commissioning ceremony of the remodelled and upgraded Sokoto State High Court Complex at Halliru Abdu road Sokoto, yesterday.
He said this can be attested by “commencing and completing the remodeling of the giant
architectural structure that is now a cynosure of all eyes, which as well stands out as a clear manifestation of dividends of democracy in Sokoto State.”
Malami recalled that “when Tambuwal’s administration commenced in 2015, the State High Court was in an obsolete state of disrepair undeserving to be reckoned with as a temple of justice, hence the effort in remodeling our famous Sokoto State High Court of Justice and the turn-around we are witnessing today.
“I am therefore optimistic that with an ultramodern court complex furnished with state-of-the-art equipment both in the offices and court rooms, the business of the judiciary in Sokoto State in dispensing justice has been given an uplifted booster in the state,” he stated.
Responding , Governor Tambuwal urged the striking members of the Judiciary Service Union of Nigeria(JUSUN) to embrace dialogue in order to solve the issues that are at stake and return to normal service to the people for justice delayed is justice denied.
Tambuwal expressed profound appreciate to Malami and Life Bencher, for attending to commission this complex.
“The commissioning of the remodeled and upgraded Sokoto State High Court Complex marks an important milestone in the history of our administration and it is also of great significance to the promotion of timely and efficient justice delivery in Sokoto State. That, indeed is the most important guarantee a conscientious government can give to the people.
“Progress had certainly been made towards modernising the judiciary, but we felt that you, the court users, were being harmed by bad habits which were pervasive within the Judiciary and the Bar”.
Tambuwal further noticed that there is an inherent distrust of ‘the system’ by the ordinary man on the Clapham Omnibus, or as we now could say, the anonymous user on Facebook. I ask for commitment from all judicial officers, staff and lawyers to working together for the greater good.
” We are aware that much of the inefficiency in our system has been caused by wearing too many hats, performing too many tasks, and lacking the critical mass of skilled people to make the system very efficient but that cannot be a reason for complacency”,he stressed.
According to him,his administration is therefore, shifting towards an atmosphere for a streamlined and efficient dispute resolution.
” We now have to address further changes necessary to complete the process of the modernization and professionalization of the Judiciary. As we are irrevocably committed to bequeathing a Judiciary fit purpose, to perform its role of dispensing justice to all manner of people according to law without fear or favour, affection or ill will”.
He said:” Our Judiciary Report Card contains some of our many achievements in the years of our administration, which have been years of considerable change and consolidation”,Tambuwal said.
