At FHC, a new realm beckons

Justice Adamu Abdul Kafarati, held sway as acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for nine months before he was eventually sworn in last week as the substantive CJ by the CJN Walter Onnoghen.
In this report, KEHINDE OSASONA writes on the event and the challenges ahead of the new CJ
Last week, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen at the ceremony, set an agenda for the new helmsman of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdul Kafarati, charging him to remain bold, courageous, and firm.
He also admonished him to remain an arbiter between the executive, the legislature and citizens.
Apparently, with gales of change of guard currently sweeping through the judiciary, expectations are that the new drive would restore and renew the hope and confidence of the citizenry in the third arm of government.
Going forward, sequel to judiciary’s stakeholders’ assertions, it is believed that the nation’s judicial system obviously still needs to undergo surgical operation as past efforts to sanitise it has proven somewhat herculean, with tales of rhetoric on its trail.
Change of guard While his reign lasted, Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta, the immediate past Chief Justice of the FHC, distinguished himself in the bench in the course of his remarkable career.
Not only that, he has had a myriad of appointment trailing his rise.
Speaking at the event, Justice Onnoghen praised the retired chief judge for a successful career after the expiration of his tenure which lapsed in September 2017.
He, particularly, hailed him for contributing to the country’s jurisprudence and service to the nation.
Before now, President Muhammadu Buhari had forwarded the name of Justice Abdulkafarati to the Senate for confirmation as the new CJ, consequent upon which he was confirmed.
Swearing in the new CJ, Justice Onnoghen tasked judges in the country to shun acts capable of embarrassing the judiciary and the nation, urging the judges to be fair and always be guided by the law and constitution.
“Avoid things that will embarrass the judiciary and embarrass you, embarrass the country and your family.
I know you have been trying your best in that direction, please sustain the effort.
Don’t get blackmailed.
Don’t get intimidated.
People will talk.
“Obviously, in this society, nobody loses a case, because the law is against him.
He loses the case because the judge does not like his face; the judge is this, the judge is that.
But, the judge must be there, and that judge happens to be you,” he said.
While assuring that the judiciary will protect and support upright judges, he said, “Justice Kafarati and other judicial officers, you are particularly reminded today of your oath, which you have taken.
Be guided always by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law.
“When you do that and continue to do that, you will have no problem.
That will ensure justice to all and sundry because there is nothing greater than the rule of law.
“The scale you wield and the sword is mighty.
When once you come to the conclusion that this side weighs more than that, you have to apply the legal truth, no matter whose ox is gored.
“That is the only way we can ensure unity because the sense of injustice breeds disunity.
And it is our responsibility to ensure that we return to the good old days, we return to a judiciary that commands respect.” Blueprint recalls that Justice Kafarati assumed office as acting Chief Judge following President Buhari’s failure to forward his name to the Senate ahead of the end of Justice Auta’s tenure, as required by section 250 (4) of the constitution.
Three months after, he was first sworn in as acting Chief Judge, Kafarati’s appointment was renewed by Justice Onnoghen in December, resulting in an expiration of Justice Kafarati’s tenure as acting Chief Judge in March.
Buhari eventually forwarded Justice Kafarati’s name to the Senate on June 5.
However, with his current elevation, Justice Kafarati now ranks immediately ahead of Justice John Tsoho who is currently with the Abuja Division.
After Justice Tsoho, the next judge in line is Justice Binta Nyako.
Ten Judges redeployed In response to the yearnings of several Nigerians, including the Presidency who have complained about the slow pace and mode of trial of corruption cases involving politically exposed persons, Abdul Kafarati redeployed 10 judges of the court to different divisions across Nigeria.
In a circular issued to the affected judges in respect of the new task, Kafarati confirmed that the action was needed to clear pending corruption cases.
He said: “In view of the recent circular by the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria regarding the need to clear corruption and criminal cases, I have decided to reshuffle the current posting of judges as contained here under.” The judges redeployed include; S.
Saidu from Port Harcourt to Lagos; B.B.
Aliyu from Yola to Port Harcourt; I.
M.
Sani from Lokoja to Uyo; I.
L.
Ojukwu from Uyo to Abuja; D.
U.
Okoronkwo from Ekiti to Lokoja; Agamah from Port Harcourt to Ekiti; F.O.Giwa-Ogunganjo from Abeokuta to Port Harcourt, Adamu Turaki Mohammed from Port Harcourt to Abeokuta; A.M.
Anka from Lagos to Yola and Ibrahim Watila from Port Harcourt to Abeokuta.
The affected judges, according to him, are expected to resume in their new divisions by October 23rd, 2017and shall continue with the hearing of criminal cases currently before them.
The ‘No Phone’ policy in court Activist and lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, penultimate months, commended Justice Abdul Kafarati for acting on his petition against the practice of seizing mobile phones and other communication gadgets from lawyers by security officials in the FHC Abuja.
The commendation was conveyed in a statement personally signed by Mr.
Effiong on 8 March.
He lauded the jurist for “acting swiftly to redress the wrong done to the psyche, prestige and rights of Nigerian lawyers, who were constantly humiliated and harassed over the policy.
“The dignity of lawyers has been restored at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
Lawyers can now enter the Temple of Justice where they are ministers by virtue of their call as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with their phones and other communication gadgets.” Challenges ahead Due to its wide criminal jurisdiction, stakeholders’ and the common man expects that the courts in the country would live up to its billings as the last resort of the masses in terms of speedy and quick dispensation of justice.
Not only that; prompt justice dispensation is also desirable.
They equally opined that judges’ capacity also needs to be enhanced, such that any erring lawyer who goofs in the line of duty can be sanctioned no matter how highly placed.