Justice is not a privilege for the few, says Appeal Court President
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, says Justice is not a privilege for the few, but a right for all.
Dongban-Mensem stated this while addressing the judges of the Federal High Court at the 40th Annual Federal High Court (FHC) Judges’ Conference in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Appeal Court president declared the conference open.
She urged the judges to remain steadfast in their principles, resolute in their integrity and receptive to evolving practices that enhance both efficiency and access to justice.
According to her, as judges, we are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of interpreting the law with integrity, impartiality and an unwavering commitment to justice.
“It is through forum such as this, that we can continuously improve, ensuring that the judiciary remains a pillar of hope to the common man, and steadfast guardian of democracy, fairness and equity,” she said.
Dongban-Mensem urged the judges to focus on ways to enhance efficiency, strengthen public trust and ensure that justice remains accessible to all
Earlier, the Chief Judge (CJ) of the FHC, Justice John Tsoho, called on the judges to stand firmly together to defend the integrity of the court, “especially in the face of determined assault to our collective image by our sworn detractors.”
According to him, this court has, in recent times, been deliberately put on trial, but we cannot afford to fail.
Tsoho said adequate funding of the judiciary is key to effective service delivery and should be sustained and made a priority.
The CJ, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of some lawyers who allegedly take pleasure in portraying judges in negative terms, whenever court decisions are not in their favour.
“Such legal practitioners are advised to always resort to appeal rather than condemning judges and making unfounded allegations of lack of integrity in the judiciary,.
“Let it be known to the Bar that such unprofessional conduct is destroying the confidence and hope of the people in the judiciary and that is not good for sustenance of the rule of law in our nation,” he said.
