President Buhari says a democratic government like the one he leads, “standing on a tripod comprising the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, cannot stand where one of its three pillars, the Judiciary, is not properly nurtured, maintained and sustained to deliver on its constitutional duties” in remarks made during a visit by the chairman and representatives of the Body of Benchers, a group of attorneys of “the highest distinction in the legal profession,” on Thursday at the State House.
Therefore, he pledges to move swiftly on the recommendations of the committee he formed on his own to examine the welfare and working conditions of the judiciary back in 2018:
Even as he issues a warning about the dire state of the nation’s economy, which is “currently battling insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges,” made worse by the COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, President Muhammadu Buhari claims that the nation’s judiciary’s deplorable welfare and working conditions are “serious and would be treated as such.”
“Let me assure you that the issues would be given due and urgent attention within the resources available to government.”
The spectacular “Benchers’ complex in Jabi,” which would house the body and offer conference space, was successfully completed, and the President congratulates the Body of Benchers on their accomplishment. He also accepted their invitation to personally commission the facility.
In his presentation, Wale Olanipekun, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and head of the Body of Benchers, condemned the working conditions of judges, particularly the Justices of the Supreme Court, as pitiful, horrible, and below the basic requirements necessary:
“We want to plead with you. We need to bail out the Judiciary. The situation is bad. Let us sympathise with the Judiciary. I know you to have respect, feelings for the Judiciary. You have sympathy, empathy and consideration. The Body of Benchers as elders of the legal profession makes these recommendations to Your Excellency, with a plea that they should be attended to urgently.”
In his introductory remarks, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, made a case for collaboration of the Executive and the Judicial arms, to “open the books to enable both sides see the depth of the decay and know how far to go in putting in place the necessary remedial measures.”