By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice R. P. I. Bozimo, has described as “malicious and falsehood,” a report alleging massive fraud in the Institute. Bozimo blamed the report on her refusal to “share” funds allocated for the completion of projects at the Institute which had the responsibility of training judges across the nation. She revealed that some disgruntled staff had openly demanded that unspent funds that were appropriated to the Institute be shared among them. She disclosed this when the newly elected offi cials of National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), Abuja chapter, paid her a courtesy visit at the weekend. Reiterating her stand, she said she would never share funds meant for projects with members of staff of the organisation and expressed readiness to open the institution’s account books for scrutiny. She also debunked the claim in the report which she said was published by a national daily, on July 5 that the alleged fraud led to a massive shake-up at the NJI, with the CJN, transferring two senior accountants at the institute out of Abuja. “Th e malicious report claimed that one of the senior accountants was transferred to Kano state Division of the High Court, while the other was transferred to the Sharia court in Abuja.
“According to them, the transfer of these unnamed accountants by the CJN who heads the Governing Council Board of the Institute were part of measures adopted to re-position the Institute. “But nothing of such has happened. You can see for yourselves that the two senior accountants they said were transferred due to the alleged fraud are right here with us today,” she said. “Contrary to their claim in the false report that I assumed offi ce as the NJI Administrator in 2011, I was appointed to take over from my brother Justice Eri in 2014 and my fi rst term in offi ce will terminate on July 31. “I had even indicated to the CJN that I did not want to continue and suggested he met the NJI board to take a decision on my possible successor.” “My appeal is to say, please, anytime you have any story, come and verify. I live here at the instituted. We are ready to answer your questions 24 hours of everyday.” In his remarks, Chairman of NAJUC, Abuja chapter, Mr. Tunde Oyesina, congratulated the NJI Administrator for her re-appointment, saying it was an indication that she has worked hard to uplift the institution.
