By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka, Abuja
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria , Justice John Terhemba Tsoho has expressed his displeasure with the attitude of some lawyers who take delight in portraying judges in negative terms whenever court decisions are not in their favour.
The Chief Judge expressed his displeasure at the opening ceremony of the 40th Annual Federal High Court Judges’ conference held at the Federal High Court headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday December 3rd.
He frowned at the attitude of some lawyers who instead of going to appeal to challenge the decision of the court, resort to writing petition to National Judicial Council (NJC) blackmailing the judiciary through some media.
He said, “I wish to express my dissatisfaction with the attitude of some lawyers who take pleasure in portraying Judges in negative terms whenever court decisions are not in their favour. Such legal practitioners are advised to always resort to appeal rather than condemning Judges and making unfounded allegations of lack of integrity in the Judiciary.
“Let it be known to the Bar that such unprofessional conduct is destroying the confidence and hope of the people in the Judiciary and that is not good for sustenance of the rule of law in our nation “
Not withstanding the negative perception of some lawyers against the judiciary, Justice Tsoho commended his brother Judges for their commitment to duty and rule of law.
He charged the Judges not to be deterred by the antics of some disgruntled lawyers.
“This address will not be complete without the extension of the enormity of my gratitude to my Brother Judges for their support and cooperation in the administration of this court.
” You are good people in whom I am well pleased. I must encourage us now more than ever before to stand firmly together to defend the integrity of this Premier Court, especially in the face of determined assault to our collective image by our sworn detractors.
“This court has in recent times been deliberately put on trial, but we cannot afford to fail “.
Speaking on the purpose and objectives of the Judges conference, the Federal High Court Chief Judge said that it has been the tradition of the court since the year 1984 for the judges to converge annually for the purpose of appraisal of the operations of the court in the passing year.
He said that the annual conference affords Judges the opportunity to sit on a round table to look at the challenges confronting the court in various ways and to proffer solutions to such.
According to C.J., Justice Tsoho, it is a time when Judges talk frankly to each other as brothers and apportion blames where necessary as a corrective measure to ensure that the reputation of the court remains intact.
Aside the appraisal of the operations of the court during the conference, seasoned scholars have been engaged for paper presentations on legal and health matters.
It is expected that at the end of the conference, Judges would have enriched their knowledge in the various areas of focus.
Other activities that followed the
opening ceremony of the conference were the Presentation of the 50th Anniversary Report and the unveiling of the Golden Era Lapel pin by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Also there was the presentation of the Federal High Court E-Affidavit Dashboard to the Honourable Chief Judge by Dr Abdul Balarabe, Consultant, Electronic Court Management System (ECMS)
