Our Judiciary could be in danger — CJN warns

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, says the non-provision of essential infrastructures for judicial officers will incur “grave consequences” on the nation’s judiciary, OBSERVERS TIMES learnt.
He gave the warning on Thursday in Port Harcourt at the handover of duplexes built by the Rivers State Government for judges in the State and Federal Judiciary.
The CJN was ably represented by Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court. The CJN said Judges would be more confident to dispense justice if they had good shelter.
Noting that Lagos and Rivers rank among the most litigious states, Muhammad said manpower and materials are stretched far beyond limit to attend to the large number of cases filed daily.
“That explains the enormity of work before Judges. A good car, shelter, and good welfare package are some of those things that can serve as a magic wand to bring out the best from them”, NAN quoted him as saying.
“Whenever we deliberately or inadvertently toil with the welfare of judicial officers, we are unconsciously inflicting a debilitating wound on the conscience of the nations.”
The CJN praised Governor Nyesom Wike’s investment towards improving infrastructure in federal courts and the judiciary.
“Today, he is giving Judges lifelong accommodation on an owner-occupier basis. This is good,” Muhammad added.