Following the increasing workload as a result of the depleting number of Justices of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has said the Federal Government is prepared and ready to strengthen the Apex Court to attain the required number of Justices as required by the Constitution.
Speaking at the special court session of Justice Amina Adamu Augie’s retirement, Fagbemi said, the Federal Government acknowledges the sacrifices and the working conditions of the current Justices of the Supreme Court and other Judges in Nigeria.
The AGF said, “President Bola Tinubu’s led government shall guarantee excellent conditions of service and renumerations good enough to appreciate the onerous duties of judicial officers at all level.
According to the AGF, “While we appreciate the urgency in reviewing the remuneration of judicial officers which had not been done for over a decade as an integral component of our judicial reforms, we are also appreciative of the greater goal of achieving a true independence for the judiciary which can only be achieved through a comprehensive and sustainable reform process which requires attention and details”.
He said the federal government has commenced a painstaking effort at revisiting and reviewing all necessary instruments towards strengthening the judiciary, rule of law and improving the living conditions of all judicial officers.
While noting that Nigeria’s judiciary has lived up to expectations, Fagbemi said the federal government will support critical reforms that would enhance greater access to Justice, facilitate speedy trials and build confidence in the country’s judicial and legal systems.
The AGF described Justice Amina Augie as an embodiment of a patriotic and dedicated Nigerian, who made several far-reaching legal and judicial pronouncements, which have continued to generate reviews from legal commentators.
Earlier in his speech, the CJN said, Justice Amina Adamu Augie, “has, largely, made herself a pliable legal personality that has diligently sunk a pool of enduring legal knowledge and experience in all her judicial pronouncements. She has been a formidable ally, an admirable pillar of support and indeed, a jolly good fellow to all of us.
“His Lordship is a rare gem and unblemished symbol of humility and piety. Her judgments are not only incisive but equally analytical and rich in content and context. Her robust contributions to the development of our jurisprudence are fascinating and captivating, too. Her impeccable attention to details in every matter that came before her is alluring and salutary as well.”
The CJN said Justice Amina Augie has variously exhibited rare qualities and tenacity of strength and character to the admiration of her colleagues and admirers, especially when it comes to the administration of justice.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), in his speech said, there is no Supreme Court in the world that is over-worked like the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Even at that, the NBA boss said Justices of the court still carry out their judicial duties deligently, he commended the sacrifices of the Supreme Court Justices.
While urging the Justices of the Supreme Court to continue in dispensing justice without fear or favour, Maikyau said the NBA is championing the fight for the upward review of the salaries, allowances and improved working conditions of judicial workers in the country.
