CJN SWEARS IN 25 NEW SANS

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar, has admitted 25 lawyers into the inner bar as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

Muktar, who was making her first public outing since becoming the first female CJN, urged the 25 newly sworn-in SANs to be guided by the understanding of their role as researcher of truth and justice.

She admonished the new silks to bear in mind that their actions must be in line with the principles of the rule of law, firmly anchored on the fundamental values of the society.

Justice Mukhtar said during the swearing-in at a special session of the Supreme Court, which also marked the commencement of 2012/2013 legal year of the apex court, that computer literacy would be a pre-condition for the employment of any prospective judicial officer.

The CJN assured of speedy dispensation of justice in this legal year just as she identified inadequate funding as one of the major problems confronting administration of justice in the country.

'Unlike the federal judiciary that enjoys 90 per cent of financial independence, inadequate funding and inaccessibility to funds appropriated to states' judiciary in the budget, is a bane of administration of justice in the federation,'  Justice Mukhtar stated.

She solicited the support of the other arms of government in the efforts geared towards establishing a viable judiciary worthy of its name, as not just the last hope of the common man, but the affluent and indeed the society at large.

While lamenting the state of the nation's prisons she observed that over 15, 000, out of an estimated 40, 000 prisoners are on awaiting trial list. The CJN therefore warned Judges against unnecessary adjournment of cases and to ensure that inmates are tried within a reasonable time.

According to Justice Mukhtar, the Supreme Court Practice Direction, signed into law by the past administration, had contributed in ensuring speedy hearing of election matters in the country, and stressed the need for an independent judiciary.

One of the recipients, Mr Pual Ananaba (SAN) had praised the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for placing merit above other considerations allowed him to get on the list without a godfather.

Ananaba said that he had cause to confirm that there was hope in the judiciary just as the CJN had said.

On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), in his speech, commended justices of the apex court over what he called 'profound judgements and rich jurisprudence' that has emanated from it.

He pointed out the relatively high number of disputes brought before the court shows the degree of public confidence that the apex court commands amongst court users.