Senate seeks adequate protection for judges, courts

Senate has called for adequate security measures around judges and courts in the country in ensuring their safety from spontaneous or premeditated attacks.

This is as it frowned at the N110 billion budgetary estimates projected for the Judiciary in 2021 budget as given in the 2020 fiscal year.

Senate’s call for safety of judges and courts in the country came from its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters while engaging Chief Registrars of all the courts on their 2021 budgetary proposals.

Making the call in his opening remarks at the budget defence session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), said the recent attacks visited on the courts in the land by hoodlums was worrisome and condemnable.

According to him, such attacks, spontaneous or premeditated, are more or less potential assaults on judges and justices which must be nipped in the bud.

“Worthy of note, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, is the unfortunate and unwarranted recent attack and vandalisation of the Court of Appeal archive office in the Lagos Division, as well as the Lagos State High Court Complex, located at Igbosere, which was set ablaze by hoodlums.

“This action is highly condemnable and a clarion call for provision of adequate security mechanisms, for the safety of judges and the courts, generally.

“Aside safety of Judges and the courts, welfare of judges as well as electronic fittings and automation of the courts, are also very critical areas requiring urgent attention that must be given,” he said.

He, however, added that N110 billion earmarked for the arm of government in the coming fiscal year, is grossly inadequate to bring about the needed turnaround.

“This committee, will do all within its legislative powers to ensure that the funding of the judiciary is improved upon for dispensation of justice in the country efficiently and appropriately,” he said.

From the Secretary, National Judicial Council, NJC, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, to Registrars of the various courts , underfunding of the Judiciary was the major complaints made to the committee which it promised to look into.