Lagos-based lawyer Kehinde Nubi says Nigeria’s judiciary improved in President Bola Tinubu’s first year as president.

In an interview in Lagos on Monday, Mr Nubi said the appointment of 11 justices to the Supreme Court was a remarkable development in the judiciary under Tinubu. 

“Increasing the number from a record low of 10 to the constitutionally-prescribed maximum of 21 is a welcome development. This move will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the justice delivery system by reducing the burden on justices.

According to him, Mr Tinubu’s inclination toward increasing the salaries of judicial officers, thereby improving their welfare, is another step in the right direction.

“Improved funding of the judiciary and his government’s approval for a significant improvement in the emolument of judges will have a positive impact on the judicial system,” he said.

The lawyer added that it was reassuring to note that the president seemed disposed to non-interference in judiciary affairs. 

“However, there are pressing issues that require attention. The military, particularly the army, appears to be operating with impunity, disregarding court orders and acting as a law unto itself.  It is crucial that this administration asserts its authority and ensures the military respect the rule of law,” the lawyer said.

Another Lagos-based lawyer, Alozie Nwoke, said under Mr Tinubu’s administration, there had been a serious clamour for reforms to better position the judiciary to perform its constitutional functions.

“It may be too early to hold a strong opinion as to how the judiciary has fared under the present administration but one has observed this growing clamour for the desired reforms. The judiciary can be said to have started well under this administration,” said Mr Nwoke of Alozie Nwoke & Co. Legal Practitioners. 

According to him, Mr Tinubu has repeatedly called for reform of the justice system to address systemic challenges and better position it for justice delivery.

“In line with the president’s calls for effective reforms, the government has listed some provisional measures it has taken to improve the judiciary. These measures include the much-required full complements of the 21 justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, improved funding of the judiciary and the government’s approval of a significant improvement in the emoluments of judges.

“Although these measures may still be undergoing legislative processes, it is believed that the support of the present administration will, in a short while, lead to the emergence of a reformed and more effective justice system that will guarantee human rights and even political rights of Nigerians,  in addition to supporting economic growth. 

“Having attracted the approval and support of the presidency and the cooperation of the legislature, the judiciary is on its way to building an effective justice system,” he said.

(NAN)