Shun corruption, Acting CJN advises judges

Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, yesterday admonished judges to shun corruption.
In his  keynote address at the opening of the 2016 Conference for all judges of the lower courts organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, Onnoghen said judges, as impartial arbiters, must uphold the Rule of Law, eliminate unnecessary delays and dispense justice  without fear or favour to both parties in accordance with the law.
The Acting CJN said the primary role of judges of the lower courts is to settle disputes in accordance with the provisions of the rule of law, adding, “the performance of this onerous task depends on strict adherence to Rule of Law, the code of conduct for judicial officers, access to justice, integrity and independence of judiciary”.
Onnoghen identified inadequate funding and corruption as some of the major challenges hindering the smooth administration of justice and exposes the judiciary to criticism.
According to him, administration of justice is crucial to the effective running and stability of a democratic society as well as the peaceful coexistence of its citizens, without which, he said, the society will degenerate into anarchy.
Earlier, NJI Administrator, Justice Roseline Bozimo, said if the lower courts must serve as veritable instruments for justice and peace in democracy, it must continually demonstrate deep foresight for productivity, exceptional capacity and remarkable courage in the defence of constitutionally guaranteed individual and institutional rights.
She said the judiciary has witnessed its low and high moments in the last 17 years of democracy, adding that with the developments it has shown that the judiciary would rather uphold the rule of substantial justice rather than technicalities of law.