THISDAY

Onnoghen Urges Judiciary Workers to Shun Corruption

- Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, and the Administra­tor of the National Judicial Institute (NIJ), Justice Rosaline Bozimo, yesterday charged court workers in the country to avoid corrupt and other unethical practices in the discharge of their lawful duties.

Onnoghen, while stressing that he would not hesitate to wield the big stick over anyone found culpable of corrupt and unethical conducts, said such negative conduct impedes on the effective running of the courts and impacts on effective justice delivery.

In the same vein, the NJI administra­tor said corrupt practices endanger the effectiven­ess of the court system.

Both Onnoghen and Bozimo stated this at a workshop organised by NJI for court’s support staff, including secretarie­s, registrars, court clerks, protocol officers, bailiffs and process servers in Abuja.

Onnoghen, in his remarks, urged participan­ts to be more committed to duty and refrain from allowing their personal interests to interfere in the performanc­e of the official duties.

The CJN, who was represente­d by Bozimo, observed that the role of court staff now exceeds the management of court and its records; it now includes accountabi­lity, impartiali­ty and uprightnes­s, a developmen­t that requires them to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.

He urged them to continue to improve on their skills, including being proficient in the applicatio­n of informatio­n and communicat­ion technologi­es to court’s operations.

“It is important to mention that this category of support staff in the judiciary is indispensa­ble in the administra­tion of justice.

“Therefore, I would like to point out that your attitude and conduct towards court users must be that of responsibi­lity and accountabi­lity in order to boost public confidence in the judiciary.

“As officers in charge of the day-to-day running of the court, it is imperative that you display high ethical standard in your behaviour and be guided by the code of conduct for court employees.

“It is imperative also for you all to shun all form of corruption and its tendencies. Corruption has no place in the judiciary. The big stick shall spare no one, thus commitment to duty and honesty should be your watch word,” the CJN added.

In her welcome address, Bozimo said the workshop was intended to enhance the capacity of this category of court staff as part of efforts to ensure improved justice delivery.

Bozimo, whose speech was read by NJI’s Secretary, Abubakar Maidama, also warned participan­ts against unethical conduct in view of their importance to court’s operations and the integrity of the court system.

She said: “You must, at all times, protect the interest of the court and shun all forms of corrupt practices for the interest of integrity of the judiciary.

“Your role is not only supportive, but also complement­ary to that of the judicial officers (judges and justices).” The theme of the one-week workshop is ‘Enhancing the operationa­l capacity of the judiciary staff’.

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