President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Nigerian
Judiciary to remain an honest arbiter in its role in the electioneering process,
both at the pre and post-election stages of the 2023 political dispensation.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony of the
3,000-sitting capacity building of the Body of Benchers (BOB) in Abuja on
Thursday, Buhari said his administration will not renege in adhering to the
rule of Law, which he said, remain critical to the progress of any society.
The President commended the Body of Benchers under Chief
Wole Olanipekun SAN for the efforts in keeping the wheel of justice turning
effectively by providing a solid foundation for upholding the rule of law.
He said the building, which is a major achievement for the
BOB, will boost the infrastructural development of the country’s legal
profession.
“I am aware that the Body of Benchers is responsible for the
formal call-to-Bar of persons seeking to become legal practitioners as well as
ensuring the highest standard of discipline within the profession.
“I consider this Body as critical to the legal profession. I
say this because the membership of the Body cuts across all facets of
Government and the legal profession, particularly, the Executive, Legislature,
Judiciary and the Bar.
“I am unaware of any other institution or organ in the legal
profession that draws its membership from all segments of the profession like
the Body of Benchers. No wonder the statute describes it as consisting of men
of the highest distinction in the legal profession”.
The President said he awaits the review of the conditions of
service of Judicial Officers in Nigeria against other countries within and
outside Africa by the consultants engaged by the leadership of the BOB.
“A society where justice thrives is one that can be assured
of development. For Nigeria to effectively embrace sustainable development,
institutions, such as the legal profession must remain deeply committed to
promoting good governance”, he said.
While assuring that, the improved welfare of judicial
officers remain a top priority of his administration, Buhari applauded the
passion and commitment of the BOB Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for
improvement in the welfare of judicial officers as displayed when he played
host to the leadership of the body on the 28th July 2022.
The BOB chairman, Chief Olanipekun, in his speech called for
a more virile and independent Judiciary, as the constitution thrives on the
doctrine of separation of powers ably propounded by the French political
philosopher Baron de Montesquieu, since 1748.
Worried by incessant complaints of poor conditions of
service by Judicial Officers across the country, he said, the BOB set up a
Standing Committee known as the Body of Benchers Judiciary Advisory Committee
to constantly interface with members of the Bench in order to take their
concerns and frustrations up with the appropriate authorities.
“Critical to its mandate is the task of comparing packages
made available to Judicial Officers in other jurisdictions”, he said and added
that the body awaits the implementation of the report and recommendations of
the 2018 Committee on the Review of Judicial Salaries and Conditions of
Service.
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