Senate Decries Dearth Of Judges In Nigerian Courts

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Legal Matters and Human Rights, Muhammed Tahir Monguno, has said the Nigerian courts are grappling with the dearth of judges.

He said judges currently in the employ of government are inadequate to respond to and handle the avalanche of legal disputes in the country.

Senator Monguno said this in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service yesterday monitored by LEADERSHIP in Bauchi.

He said the Senate made adequate provisions of funds for the judiciary to make it independent and free from corrupt practices, adding that “that is to ensure that the welfare of judges is protected and guaranteed.”

Monguno added, “While reviewing this year’s budget, we increased the allocation to the judiciary by more than 40 percent of what was originally allocated to it.”

He said the lawmakers noted with dismay the slow dispensation of justice especially at Nigeria’s Supreme Court because of the dearth of justices of the court due to retirement.

He said cases linger for nearly six years in the court without conclusion and determination and pronouncement of judgement, hence littering the apex court with inconclusive pending cases.

Senator Monguno said the lawmakers screened about 15 nominees for appointments as Justices of the Supreme Court and approved 11 in an attempt to boost the capacity of the court to deliver judgements as required by the constitution.

He noted that even with the 11 new justices due for swearing-in the number for the Supreme Court is not yet adequate because the 1999 Constitution demands that the court should have about 21 justices.