FIDA Challenges CJN on War Against Corruption in the Judiciary
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) at the weekend called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, not to relent in the present war against corruption particularly in the Judiciary.
The Chairperson of Kwara State branch of FIDA, Hajia Salmat Iyabo Mohammed who made the call in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that, “If the war is eventually won, the credibility which the Judiciary commanded in the past, would be regained".
Hajia Mohammed also urged the Chief Justice of the Federation to ensure that only credible, hard working, knowledgeable and transparent judicial officers are appointed as judges in either State High Courts, Appeal or Supreme Courts, so as not to doubt, embarrass or put the Judiciary in disputes.
The chairperson of FIDA said members of the association are fully in support of the ongoing cleansing in the Nigerian Judiciary, but cautioned against intimidating or exposing senior judicial officers to public embarrassment.
She explained that, “Anybody facing trial is still innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law hence, the need to handle such suspects with due judicial process”.
The legal practitioner who appealed to judicial officers to put in more effort in the discharge of their duties, described Hon. Justice Onnoghen as a man of honour and a judicial officer that has proven himself to be corruption-free.
The chairperson urged him to maintain the status quo ante and appealed to others in the judiciary to emulate him.
Answering another question, the FIDA chairperson suggested that a stiffer penalty and accelerated hearing should be passed on anybody found and confirmed guilty of rape.
She lamented that there are now rampant cases of female to female, male to male and even father to daughter rape cases, which she described as most disheartening and embarrassing.
Hajia Mohammed enjoined mothers to take proper care of their female children in particular, and condemned the idea of keeping female children in the custody of male house helps or even uncles.
The FIDA chairperson who is the Director, Legal Services in Ilorin West local government council of the State, blamed today's rampant cases of broken homes to the worsening economic situation in the country, and lack of deep understanding between partners before going into marriages.
She announced that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of FIDA would hold in Ilorin in April this year, adding that, the event would equally coincide with the State FIDA Law Week and launching of the Women Center.
She also commended the support of the wife of the Kwara State Governor, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed, to the association.