The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice
Mariam Aloma Mukhtar has blamed the poor
conditions of service of judges and the
deplorable state of courts in the country on
state governors.
According to her, governors are fond of not
obeying the constitution. She also said that
she was aware that judges of the lower
courts in many states were working under
horrible conditions.
She made the comment at the opening of the
2014 Conference of All Nigeria Judges of the
Lower Courts organized by the National
Judicial Institute (NJI).
While these problems are existent, Mukhtar
appealed to judges and magistrates in the
country not to use it as an excuse to
perpetrate fraud or indulge in other dishonest
dealings.
“Some customary and area courts sit in
rented apartments. I am also aware that in
some states, courts have been closed down
due to political squabbles among politicians.
I have heard of stories of magistrates being
abducted and in many cases murdered by
unknown persons due to lack of security. All
these factors are so debilitating on the
performance of judicial functions,” the CJN
noted.
Justice Mukhtar is expected to leave office
on November 20 when she will clock the
retirement age of 70 years. Justice
Mohammed Mahmud, the most senior justice
of the Supreme Court has been lined up as
her successor. He will appear before the
Senate on Tuesday for screening.
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