The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho has charged judges to revive their power of contempt to protect the integrity of their persons and courts from injurious falsehood. Justice Tsoho stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2024/2025 legal year of the court on Monday in Abuja.
Galaxy Television reports the Judge, who noted the growing trend of using media platforms to criticize the decisions of judges with malicious campaigns of bribery without proof, added that the judges’ reluctance to employ the potent weapon of contempt should not be seen as a sign of ignorance or cowardice.
He maintained that the ugly trend must be halted, if the judiciary is to survive saying this is a task for well-meaning members of the legal profession, who owe their lives to the profession.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Benchers, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN) called on the judiciary, the political class, economic managers and others to repent from corruption and the pervading evil for the survival of the country.
Also, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) drew attention to the growing gap between societal expectations and perceptions of judicial performance that the courts do not protect the indigent, rights, and interests of the citizens, especially in electoral and political cases.
They also requested for a reform in the digital payment systems for filing of cases in the court, and the frequent transfer of judges within short periods, which he said, affects justice delivery.
