Magistrates’ courts critical for quick justice dispensation — FCT chief judge

The acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Husseini Yusuf Baba, has described magistrates’ courts as integral and critical aspect of the country’s justice institution with shared responsibilities for quick dispensation of justice. He spoke on Monday in Abuja at a workshop organized by the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Federal […]

Magistrates’ courts critical for quick justice dispensation — FCT chief judge

The acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Husseini Yusuf Baba, has described magistrates’ courts as integral and critical aspect of the country’s justice institution with shared responsibilities for quick dispensation of justice.

He spoke on Monday in Abuja at a workshop organized by the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory (MAN-FCT) branch, in collaboration with Fight Against Corruption in the Judiciary (FIACIJ) and Duty Solicitors Network (DSN).

Justice Baba said the workshop with the theme ‘Attaining Global Best Practices in the FCT Magistracy; Challenges and Solutions’, was apt taking into account that the FCT judiciary is a model institution.

 He said: “I am optimistic that the line-up of events will be of tremendous assistance to our magistrates in their quest to maintain and sustain global best practices in the art of adjudication of cases brought before them.”

Chairman of MAN-FCT, Musa Abdulrazaq Eneye, said the programme was geared at equipping magistrates with the necessary tools to function efficiently in all ramifications. 

 Eneye explained that a magistrate would do better if all modern tools and gadgets of technology are at his or her disposal in carrying out his or her magisterial duties, adding that “The superior courts will also be less burdened by appeals to redress perceived wrong judgments.”

Convener of DSN Bayo Akinlade, while urging the federal government to give magistrates special treatment, noted that there are about 90 magistrates currently in the FCT but their salaries have not been increased in the last 10 years.