OMU-ARAN (KWARA) – A judge, Mr Abolade Banigbe, has called for strengthening of the nation’s judicial system ahead of the 2015 general elections.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Aran, Kwara, on Tuesday.
Banigbe, who is a judge with Omu-Aran Area Court in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, said “putting the nation’s judiciary in the right and proper perspective will greatly assist in sustaining the nation’s democratic system.’’
He said the call for strengthened judicial system ahead of the general elections was borne out of recent political developments in the country.
He added that “there are going to be lots of political issues whose solutions may depend largely on proper intervention of the courts via constitutional interpretations to move forward.
“This is what is happening with the present cross carpeting and other unfolding developments as the country moves to another political dispensation.
“I think the judiciary as the last hope of the common man needs to be properly looked into now, so as to be well equipped to function effectively.
“This is very essential and critical in moving the nation forward politically.’’
The judge urged members of the bench to be prepared to evolve viable solutions to the challenges ahead.
He said that developments before, during and after the elections were issues which deserved serious attention and urged government to avail the judiciary the necessary requirements in terms of adequate budgetary provisions and an enabling environment for effective adjudication.
“The judiciary should be absolutely independent in its own right, with adequate resources at its disposal,’’ he stressed. (NAN)