CJN KEKERE-EKUN, EMIR SANUSI, FASHOLA TASK JUDGES ON JUSTICE, ACCOUNTABILITY AT MICA PUBLIC DISCOURSE
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for collective responsibility in bringing about social change to the country.
According to her, the change Nigeria desires is the responsibility of all.
CJN Kekere-Ekun made this remark on Saturday at a public discourse organised by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) to mark the elevation of Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru to the Supreme Court and celebrate its 30th anniversary of promoting Islamic advocacy in Nigeria.
The public discourse on ethics, Morality and the law also had other speakers, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi II; former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, Reverend Konyin Ajayi; Dr. Bashir Aliyu; and Professor Adele Jinadu, calling judges to task on accountability, equity and the fear of God.
It was also attended by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); National Missioner or Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad; former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu; Chairman, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN; Chairman, Capital Markets Solicitors’ Association (CMSA), Dr. Ajibade Babatunde SAN; and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), UNILAG, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, among other dignitaries.
In her remarks, the CJN Kekere-Ekun opined that a few bad judges have tarnished the reputations of good judges.
She said, “We are people of faith. Our different faiths teach us uprightness and morality. The change we all require is the responsibility of all of us, not just the judiciary or politicians. We all must be responsible in effecting the changes we desire. Lawyers are often seen as both antagonists and protagonists in the pursuit of justice. This dual role requires them to balance the scriptures and the law with ethical constitutions, which contain moral and legal questions that may seem at odds.”
On his part, Emir Sanusi, who is also the spiritual leader (khalifa) of the Tijanniyah Sufi order in Nigeria, disclosed that being a judge in a dysfunctional society like Nigeria isn’t an easy task.
He admonished the judges not to be advocates for wrongdoers, urging them to fear God and the day of accountability before the Supreme Judge, God.
He said, “Being a judge is not an easy task because of the demand to live and judge right. You must be mindful of your God and the day of judgement when no one will be there except you and your deeds.”
Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), described law as the greatest tool humans have invented.
He called for better training for judges for the actualisation of justice according to the law.
He said, “Ethics and morality are the foundation on which law sprung up. Law has kept humans going. It distinguishes human from animals and it has constrained us to the civilisation we now enjoy but when mishandled, the law could be harmful to itself and the society.”
The chaplain of the Emmanuel Chapel, Methodist Church, Professor Konyin Ajayi, noted that if the judiciary gets it right, Nigeria will change for the better.
He said, “We all must look at moral ethics in what we do. It is not about dogma. Love, equity, justice and morals should devise your judgement. We must ensure justice holds the society together and not break it. But when law and justice contradict each other, the citizens suffer. Judges are special and they should not pervert the course of justice.”
Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar of Masjid Al-Furqan, Kano, sees justice as an extension of divine mercy, stressing that the purpose of divine revelation itself is to guide humanity towards justice and moral truth.
“Justice is the central truth of revelation, guiding the relationship between man and God,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General of Nigeria, while defending the judiciary, said they had done well, even as he admitted the menace of conflicting judgements recently witnessed in the judiciary.
