TheCable

Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria, says the nation’s judiciary is “as good as the best” anywhere in the world.

Walter, who was speaking at the 2018 refresher course for judges in Abuja, on Monday, said “only few” judges are found wanting in the country.

A statement from Awassan Bassey, his spokesman, also quoted him as saying corrupt judges are a disgrace to the bench as well as a disaster to the nation.

“My Lords, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that a corrupt judge is not only a disgrace to the Bench and the noble profession but also a disaster to the course of justice and the nation,” he said.

“I must not fail to emphasise here that my definition of corruption is not limited to bribe-taking, but includes the giving of judgements or orders based on any consideration other than legal merit.

“I must state categorically, however, lest I am accused of the fallacy of hasty generalisation, that the judiciary in Nigeria is not corrupt or inefficient.

“It is an established fact that the judiciary in Nigeria is as good as the best anywhere in the world. Only few judges are found wanting.”

Onnoghen decried the low remuneration of judicial workers at the state level.

According to him, “the issue of adequate funding at the state level is one of the greatest challenges confronting the Judiciary of this nation.

“The funding of the Judiciary is crucial as it is the most important index for assessing its independence.

“It is imperative that the applicable provisions of the 1999 Constitution be duly amended to solve problems of state judiciaries.”