Don’t blame judges for delays in justice dispensation – Appeal Court Judge

Hajiya Binta Zubairu, a Justice of the Court of Appeal (JCA), said on Sunday in Zaria that judges are not the primary cause of delays in the dispensation of justice, contrary to what some Nigerians believe.

Zubairu shared this perspective during a reception organized in her honour in Zaria, celebrating her recent elevation as a Justice of the Court. She pointed out that judges are wrongly accused of causing delays in the dispensation of justice by the public.

She clarified that judges collaborate with various stakeholders, including the prosecution, lawyers, and others. The prompt and efficient dispensation of justice, she explained, depends on the timely efforts of the police, effective prosecution, proper gathering of evidence by lawyers, and the presentation of cases in accordance with legal procedures before the judges.

Zubairu noted that often judges and magistrates are prepared to adjudicate, but the prosecution may not be ready, or lawyers may present excuses, causing delays in court proceedings. She highlighted that these challenges are evident in courtrooms, but judges often cannot express their frustrations, leading to unfounded blame being placed on them.

The Justice also mentioned that in many cases, the police take longer than expected to conclude their investigations in even simple cases.

Zubairu expressed her appreciation to the Zazzau Emirate for celebrating her promotion and appointment. She considered her elevation to the Court of Appeal as a moment of pride for the entire Zazzau Emirate and humanity. She acknowledged that her journey to becoming a judge was not her childhood aspiration; she originally aspired to be a school principal to ensure all children received an education. Destiny, she said, led her into the judiciary.

The Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Bamalli, expressed the emirate’s pride in Justice Zubairu as the first female from the emirate to achieve such a high position in the judiciary. He encouraged her to be a commendable representative of the emirate, embodying honesty and professionalism in her endeavors.

Justice Ishaq Bello, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force Committee on Prison Decongestion and former FCT Chief Judge, congratulated Justice Zubairu and advised young judges to embrace hard work and dedication to excel in their careers. He also encouraged her to uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession for effective service delivery.