The Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, has emphasized that judicial independence is essential for the delivery of impartial justice.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2024 NBA-SLP annual conference in Kano, themed “Administration of Justice in Nigeria: Challenges and Reforms,” Justice Aboki highlighted the importance of shielding the judiciary from undue influence by other branches of government.
“The administration of justice in Nigeria faces numerous challenges that demand our immediate attention.
On the part of the Judiciary, one of the foremost challenges is the issue of judicial independence.
For justice to be truly impartial, the judiciary must be free from undue influence and interference from other arms of government,” she stated.
Justice Aboki stressed that this independence is vital not only for the judiciary but for the citizens who rely on fair and equitable justice.
“This independence is not for the benefit of the judiciary alone but is the bedrock of fair and equitable justice delivery to the citizens we serve.
We must continuously strive to promote the achievement of this independence to maintain the integrity of our judicial system,” she added.
Addressing the role of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), she called on the organization to advocate more vigorously for judicial independence and autonomy.
“The NBA as a pressure group is not meant only to advocate for the interest of lawyers but also to serve as a mouthpiece for the Judiciary, thus more should be done in advocating for judicial independence and autonomy,” she said.
Justice Aboki also identified the backlog of cases in Nigerian courts as a pressing challenge.
“The saying ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ rings true in this context.
To address this, we must adopt innovative solutions, such as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and the increased use of technology to streamline court processes and reduce delays,” she advised.
She emphasized the importance of efficient case management systems, support staff, comprehensive legal databases, research tools, and continuous legal education programs for judges.
During the event, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, urged the judiciary to uphold the rule of law.
He stressed that maintaining the confidence and trust of society and the international community depends on a reformed and efficient justice system.
“We believe in the power of reform and the efficient justice system,” he remarked.
The President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maiyaki, commended Kano State for its efforts in implementing the Administration of Justice Law (ACJL) despite facing numerous challenges.
He praised the state for being at the forefront of judicial reform in the country.
