Law
By Veronica Dariya
Bwari (Abuja), July 6, 2018 (NAN) The Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Yamusa, on Friday charged Nigerian Judges to dispense justice in absolute fairness to parties in accordance with the rule of law.
Yamusa gave the charge on the sideline of the 51st Annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) in Bwari, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the week-long conference, which commenced on Sunday and ends on Friday, is ‘Law, Justice and Society’.
According to Yamusa, there is need for Judges to carry out indepth researches, read relevant materials relating to cases and review evidences in order to make accurate decisions in the pursuit of justice and fairness.
“Most judges ignore the legal process, court proceedings and the virtue of natural justice in law; instead, they make decisions based on personal instincts.
“Recently, in my emirate, a judge erroneously enforced a rule without reviewing evidences and not even listening to the testimony of the witness, which was against the pursuit of justice.
“I, however, drew his attention to it.”
He also added that the pursuit of justice and fairness would also be misplaced if Police prosecutors failed to upgrade and acquaint themselves with relevant legal procedures to be able to handle cases in court.
This, he said, would only slow proceedings and make the legal process difficult.
He, therefore, urged the Police to ensure that its prosecutors were qualified members of the Nigerian Bar Association, to ensure quick dispensation of justice.
Yamusa also said that being a member of NALT himself, he had begun collaboration with some lecturers of the University in Keffi on educating prosecutors on how to institute cases in court.
He noted that his emirate would partner the association in the field of research and development and appealed to members to preserve the integrity and prestige of the profession.
The Emir, while commending the association for its focus on legal education in the country, said it should not relent on initiating strategies that would enhance the profession.
NAN reports that the conference focused on Legal Education in Nigeria, Social Media, the Law and Freedom of Expression, Criminal Trial of Judges and Imperatives for Judicial independence, Mentoring, Ethics and Research among others.
It had in attendance Deans of Law Faculties and lecturers of law from various institutions, trustees of the association, judges and other stakeholders in the Judiciary sector. (NAN)
DVK/KOO/NKO
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Nkechi Okoronkwo