Media and judicial experts have urged President Bola Tinubu to build strong institutions that are well funded rather than strong men, as Nigeria’s democracy depends on them. A former editor of The Nations Newspaper, Lekan Otunfodunrin, and retired Federal High Court Justice, Taiwo Taiwo, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Adetunji Oyeyipo, among others, made the call, yesterday, at the 2023 yearly lecture of the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC), held at the Muson Centre, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Birthing a new Nigeria: Role of the Judiciary, Security Agencies and the Media in a Democratic Society,’ the guest speaker, Olatunji, emphasised importance of the judiciary in a democracy, identifying fundamental issues the government must resolve for the judiciary to become strong and independent.
He said: “The financial autonomy of the judiciary must be sustained by the executive. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (fifth alteration) Act (No 6) 2023, provides for the financial independence of the state Assembly and state judiciary. It is expedient that only a financially independent judiciary can dispense justice without fear or favour, ensuring our democracy is not truncated.”
“Merit-based appointment of justices/judges, security of justices/judges’ tenures, establishment/strengthening of state judicial councils, improved welfare of Judicial officers, sustenance of Judicial financial autonomy and intimidation of judges must end.”
Olatunji, therefore, called on Tinubu to keep to his “Renew Hope 2024” action plan for better Nigeria, which provides a seven-point agenda to establish a bold and assertive policy that will create a strong and adaptive national security architecture to obliterate terror, kidnapping, banditry and all forms of violent extremism.
On his part, Justice Taiwo noted that poor remuneration for retired justices is a problem, particular for federal judges. He revealed that his total pension as a retired justice is below N500, 000, an amount inadequate to meet his under the prevailing economic realities.
He further said that there is a symbiotic relationship between judiciary and the press with regard to information.
“The judiciary makes sure that the constitutional provision for freedom of information is enforced, and the press disseminates the information as the case may be,” he said. Also, Otunfodunrin harped on the need for the executive to understand idea of separation of powers, saying it is a key distinguishing factor between a democracy and military regime.
Earlier, the NAJUC Chairman, Peter Fowoyo, emphasised the importance of key sectors fulfilling their constitutional roles in the country’s interest.
