Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has commended the Federal High Court (FHC) on  speedy disposal of cases, including pre-election matters, thereby easing the tasks of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the Special Session to mark the commencement of the 2019/2020 Legal Year of the Federal High Court, the Minister said “I want to appreciate this Court at the speed at which it handled pre-election matters at the wake of the election; during and after the general elections in Nigeria. This Court has set the records straight which helped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to effectively field the right candidates for the election and the efficient conduct of election processes.”

*Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN flanked by the representative of the Chairman Body of Senior Advocate  Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN (left) and the representative of the NBA, O.E.B Offiong, SAN*

He added that “In upholding the Rule of Law, this Court worked tirelessly in ensuring speedy and efficient dispensation of justice. Also, the Federal High Court braced the trail when it reviewed the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009 after ten (10) years of usage. The Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009 which came into force on May 10, 2019 is known to have addressed some peculiar challenges of the 2009 Rules. This alone is evident that this Court is moving within the trajectory of international best practices in ensuring that Justice is achieved in all aspects of our cases.”

Malami listed other areas in which the FHC excelled. These included, but not limited to: a seamless and successful administration and prosecution of maritime offences throughout the federation; coming up with a new Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and for revising the Federal High Court Assets Management Corporation Rules; providing enabling platform for combating terrorism by assigning four (4) judges and creating Judicial Division in Kainji and Maiduguri to try Boko Haram and other terrorism related cases and designating some judges for the prosecution and trial of corruption cases in order to fast track their trial.

The Minister called on Justices of the FHC “ to maintain sanctity and credibility and to ensure that the sacred integrity reposed on your Lordships remain unshaken at all times in order to foster and promote public confidence in all judgments and rulings that emanates from this Court.”

He equally urged lawyers to “cooperate with the Federal High Court in ensuring that the dignity, integrity and credibility of this Court is not put to ridicule,” adding that “ We must collectively shun fraudulent practices and to render sound and unbiased advice to our clients based on laid down laws and not on sentiment. We should also not be seen encouraging our clients in a bit to ridicule this Court into doing the impossible.”

Malami assured the gathering of the commitment of his office to the growth of a healthy relationship with the Court “in a manner that promotes genuine cooperation without undermining the independence of this hallowed arm of Government.”

See the full text of his speech below:

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,

1. ABUBAKAR MALAMI, SAN

AT THE SPECIAL SESSION TO MARK THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 2019/2020 LEGAL YEAR OF THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT

 

HELD ON MONDAY, 16^TH SEPTEMBER, 2019 AT THE

FEDERAL HIGH COURT HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA

PROTOCOL:

 

My Lord, the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John TerhembaTsoho,

My Lords, the Honourable Judges of the Federal High Court,

Retired Chief Judge and Judges of this Court,

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, and all Officers and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association here present,

Learned Senior Advocates,

Learned Friends,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am indeed privileged to have received an invitation to deliver this address on this occasion of the commencement of the 2019/2020 Legal Year of the Federal High Court. I specially commend this Court, under the leadership of His Lordship, the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John TerhembaTsoho for making this gathering a reality. This occasion marks the continuous commitment of the Federal High Court in diligently discharging her Constitutional duties as a stakeholder in the dispensation of justice amongst other courts of record.

2. My Lords, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I will commence my address by thanking the Almighty God for availing us the opportunity of witnessing the commencement of another legal year, while hoping that the collective aspirations of My Lords (the Judges) and Staff of the Federal High Court towards the actualization of the mandate of this Court will come to fruition this 2019/2020 Legal Year.
3. Let me specially congratulate Hon. Justice J. T. Tsoho on his emergence as the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to continue in the leadership of this Court, a rare feat to deserving jurists. I am also convinced that through hardwork and determination, my Lord will be able to put in motion, proactive measures and programmes required to enable the Federal High Court meet all its challenges and proficiently promote administration of justice.
4. In view of the Constitutional mandate bestowed on this Court and the nature of cases being adjudicated upon by this Court, I urge My Noble Lords to maintain sanctity and credibility and to ensure that the sacred integrity reposed on your Lordships remain unshaken at all times in order to foster and promote public confidence in all judgments and rulings that emanates from this Court. I assure you that the promotion of these values will continue to guide Your Lordships to the greatest heights of our legal profession.
5. My Lords, Learned Friends, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is pertinent that I use this medium to applaud the outstanding performance of the Federal High Court in the last Legal Year under the leadership of Hon. Justice Abdu-Kafarati (Rtd). In upholding the Rule of Law, this Court worked tirelessly in ensuring speedy and efficient dispensation of justice. Also, the Federal High Court braced the trail when it reviewed the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009 after ten (10) years of usage. The Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009 which came into force on May 10, 2019 is known to have addressed some peculiar challenges of the 2009 Rules. This alone is evident that this Court is moving within the trajectory of international best practices in ensuring that Justice is achieve in all aspects of our cases.
6. It must further be noted that the 2019 Rules comes with new provisions which include but not limited to the following: establishment of communication and service centre for e-filling; provides where such matters would be heard; provides for consolidation of suit and the extension of days required to file defence to originating summons from fourteen (14) days to thirty (30) days, amongst others.
7. Let me further extend my commendation to the leadership of the Federal High Court for coming up with a new Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and for revising the Federal High Court Assets Management Corporation Rules. I am optimistic that with these new Rules, the administration of justice, particularly in the Federal High Court, would be more forceful, robust and stress-free both for the judges, practitioners, litigants and the general public at large.
8. In addition, I want to appreciate this Court at the speed at which it handled pre-election matters at the wake of the election; during and after the general elections in Nigeria. This Court has set the records straight which helped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to effectively field the right candidates for the election and the efficient conduct of election processes.
9. Furthermore, permit me to comment on the collaborations and cooperation that exist between the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal High Court which have immensely contributed to the memorable development of our legal system. Such areas of synergy include:

(i)     Maritime Administration: Through Federal High Court, Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Navy collaboration, there is a seamless and successful administration and prosecution of maritime offences throughout the federation. The Federal High Court further collaborated in this area by organizing training and retraining of judicial officers aimed at suppressing piracy and bringing perpetrators of maritime crimes to justice;

(ii)    Terrorism matters: The Federal High Court graciously provided enabling platform for combating terrorism by assigning four (4) judges and creating Judicial Division in Kainji and Maiduguri to try Boko Haram and other terrorism related cases. This singular collaborative approach had led to successful prosecution and conviction of over 300 terrorists and still counting.

(iii)   Corruption cases:     The Federal High Court in its collaborative effort designated some judges for the prosecution and trial of corruption cases in order to fast track their trial.

Indeed, these noble feats are evident in the erudite judgments and rulings delivered by this Honourable Court in checkmating the menace and violence done to Nigerian society.

10. The pivotal role played by the Federal High Court by virtue of section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) makes this Court unique and distinct from other Courts of coordinate jurisdiction. In the light of its jurisdiction as noted in the Constitution above, I humbly urge this Court as part of the judicial arm of government, to remember that it is the anchor upon which our legitimate claim to a civilized society rests and revolves.
11. On the other hand, I also urge my learned colleagues here present and those absent to cooperate with the Federal High Court in ensuring that the dignity, integrity and credibility of this Court is not put to ridicule. We must collectively shun fraudulent practices and to render sound and unbiased advice to our clients based on laid down laws and not on sentiment. We should also not be seen encouraging our clients in a bit to ridicule this Court into doing the impossible. As ministers in the temple of justice, we must together foster the desired growth for a better society, because this Court on its own can only do little as permitted by law.
12. As always, I assure you once more of the commitment of my office to the growth of a healthy relationship with this Court in a manner that promotes genuine cooperation without undermining the independence of this hallowed arm of Government. I equally solicit the continued cooperation of the Nigerian Bar Association and all legal practitioners in enhancing and making ease the burden of this Court this Legal Year. Together we shall promote and foster the Rule of Law by encouraging this Court through legitimate means to aid fast and efficient dispensation of justice.
13. I am glad to announce that my Office and the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, are presently working in conjunction with the Federal High Court to support the infrastructure and capacity building for judges and support staff.
14. My lords, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, in conclusion, I thank my Lord, the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court once more for this privilege to deliver this address on this august occasion. As the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, I look forward with zeal to a hearty and glorious Legal Year ahead and crave your continuous support for the fight against all forms of corrupt practices that has dragged our Country backwards. I wish each and every one of us resounding good health and mind, and success in the course of 2019/2020 Legal Year.
15. I thank you for your attentiveness.

 

ABUBAKAR MALAMI, SAN

HONOURABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE

FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE.

16^th September, 2019