Posted by As the Court of Petitions for the presidential election continues its session, Umar Dahiru, former chairman of the Senate justice, human rights and legal affairs committee, says Nigerians have lost hope in the system judiciary of the country.
Dahiru spoke Thursday at a book launch in Abuja titled When Justice Sleeps: Burning Issues and Crises in Administration of Justice in Nigeria.
The former legislature identified corruption, ethnicity, religion and others as major impediments to the administration of justice in Nigeria.
He said the book comes at the right time as Nigerians demand justice on electoral issues in the February and March elections.
Dahiru lamented that the Nigerian justice system is “sleeping,” a metaphorical description of Nigerians’ loss of faith in the country’s justice system. “This book could not have come at a more opportune time than now, as the entire Nigerian judiciary appears to have effectively been ‘asleep’. Let’s take a look around.
“Most Nigerians have lost faith in our judicial system to deliver justice. Cases hang endlessly in court, turning the popular cliché into reality: to delay justice is to deny justice.
“Recently, the words ‘Go to court’ in the context in which they have been used of late seem to have become a tool of oppression as those issuing the opinion implicitly acknowledge and acknowledge: when justice sleeps.”
he said. In addition, the book’s author, Matthew Okeke, lamented the deteriorating state of the country’s judicial system.
according to him
“The [judicial] system is not working well. It does not meet the needs of the population, the needs of the citizens, and this leads to serious discontent among the population.
“This statement is not intended as an accusation against anyone or against the institution, but rather to encourage us to reflect on the system we operate and see how we can improve it so that it meets the needs of citizens.”
“From what we hear and see on a daily basis, not all of us should feel at home or excited about this. Justice can still be restored.
“All we need to function well and meet our needs is for us to adapt through attitudes and also through laws. Some of our laws need to be changed.
“In fact, I have to say in general that the attention we give to justice issues is not enough. ”
The Petitions Tribunal for the presidential election began on May 8 with Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labor Party and others questioning the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.