Reps push for timely justice delivery in FCT

… Ongoing reforms in the judicial system are necessary, very urgent — Speaker Tajudeen

The House of Representatives on Wednesday reiterated its resolve towards ensuring the timely delivery of justice in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Chairman, House Committee on FCT Judiciary, Hon. Adamu Gamawa gave the assurance in Abuja during the public hearing on two bills which seek to amend relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to increase the number of Judges in the FCT, as well as a bill seeking to establish Lower Courts for the FCT, Abuja with jurisdiction over civil and criminal causes and matters.

He affirmed the resolve of the House of Representatives to make justice delivery in FCT not just accessible but available to all, irrespective of class.

“It is the vision of the Hon. Speaker that access to justice is made available and affordable to all and sundry in the FCT.

“Such that no one would have any reason to take the laws into their hands as justice would be timely,” he said.

Gamawa, who reiterated the House’s commitment towards ensuring a functional Judiciary, averred that a strengthened judicial system was key to restoring public confidence in the judiciary.

According to him, in line with this noble vision, therefore, the two bills under consideration today would be examined.

He said that the public hearing would therefore provide a platform for all stakeholders to discuss constructively and to cross-fertilise knowledge and ideas, thereby getting the best law that would achieve set goals.

Gamawa said that the intention was to make access to justice simple and fast, thereby making the workload of our judges less cumbersome

In his keynote address, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen said that the public hearing was critical in enhancing judicial reforms.

The Speaker, represented by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Aliyu Madaki, while restating the House’s commitment to the rule of law and fair justice administration, maintained that the ongoing reforms in the country’s judicial system are necessary and very urgent.

On his part, President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Afam Osigwe, expressed the Association’s support for the proposed bill; however solicited a shift in the customary laws, demanding the expunge of section 16 of the Principal Act.

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