Stop Accusing Judges Wrongly – Justice Binta Urges Nigerians
- Insists many factors contribute to delayed justice
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Newly appointed Justice of the Court of Appeal, Binta Zubairu, says judges are wrongly accused of delay in dispensing justice without recourse to the totality of factors that contribute to the workings of the nation’s justice system.
She said it is wrong to heap the blame for the delay in dispensing justice on the Courts alone because the judges work in collaboration with prosecutors, lawyers, and other stakeholders whose inputs greatly impact the process.
Speaking at a reception organised to honour her elevation as an Appeal Court judge in Zaria, Kaduna State, Justice Binta said; “We don’t talk and nobody speaks for us; the speedy dispensation of justice requires the prompt efforts of police, prosecution, assembling of exhibits, and the lawyers”.
She said sometimes, the judges or magistrates would be willing and ready, but the prosecution would not be ready or the lawyers would come up with excuses, adding; “As justices, we could not be heard as such and regrettably, all the blame is shifted to us, even the police, while conducting an investigation on a simple case, would take them a long time to come up with the report of their investigation.”
Further explaining that it is not always the Court that delays cases, Justice Binta however noted that there are some exceptional cases where a judge may be sick or be constrained by some personal challenges.
The judge, who appreciated the entire Zazzau Emirate for identifying and rejoicing with her on achieving the feat, said her elevation to the Court of Appeal was for the entire Zazzau Emirate, Nigeria, and humanity as a whole.
The Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, had earlier in his remarks said; “The emirate is proud of Justice Binta’s achievement being the first female to attain that height in the judiciary. I urge you to be a good ambassador of the Emirate by exhibiting a high sense of honesty and professionalism.”
In his comments at the occasion, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on prison decongestion and former FCT Chief Judge, Ishaq Bello, urged young judges to imbibe the culture of hard work and dedication to enable them to excel in the practice.
