Legal Year: Fagbemi charges judiciary on dispensation of justice
By Sunmola Olowookere & Kayode Olabanji
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Nigerian judiciary has been urged to devise a means of dispensing justice swiftly so that innocent people will not languish in incarcerations.
Making the submission while delivering a sermon was the Bishop of Owo Diocese of Anglican Church, Rt. Revd Stephen Fagbemi during the commencement of the 2019/2020 legal year celebrations held at St David Anglican Church in Akure.
He said that knowledge alone not sufficient to assist them in the discharge of their duty and advised them to be courageous so that they will be able to deliver judgements in any case without fear.
The clergy lamented that the case of the notorious kidnapper, Evans which ought to have been dispensed with was still pending in court
He submitted that what is lacking in the judiciary is not adequate knowledge of the law or the ability to interpret it as Nigeria is blessed with legal luminaries prominent on the international stage, but the courage for the Judges to act on their beliefs despite fear of danger or disapproval.
After the church service, a special court session was held to usher in the new legal year.
Delivering her welcome address, the State Chief Judge, Justice Olutoyin Akeredolu said that to decongest the correctional centres in the state, 37 persons among the inmates awaiting trial were released due to ill health or missing case files.
She urged the Federal Government to provide more accommodation at congested facilities as a matter of urgency with all accessories, medical, entrepreneurial and educational facilities.
She said that the hardship inmates face on daily basis at the correctional centres could make their sentence to be counter-productive.
Also speaking at the sitting, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Adekola Olawoye SAN said that the state government is appreciative of the efforts of the judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission to consolidate on repositioning the judiciary and the administration of the justice sector.
