Most Govs underfund judiciary —NJI

THE Director of Studies, National Judicial Institute (NJI), Dr Ajah Ogbu, has pointed out that most governors in the country are not funding the judiciary well.

He stated this on Monday during the opening ceremony of the refresher course for Magistrates and Judicial Assistants and training/workshop for secretaries, court registrars, process clerks and bailiffs, organised by the Ogun State Judiciary, in collaboration with the NJI in Abuja.

Ogbu said that most state governors do not accord the judiciary necessary assistance in terms of finance for training and re-training of workers for optimal performance.

He said, “Ours is to facilitate and we try to build capacity, build faculty, so that when they need this kind of training, we can be able to train them.

“Like Ogun State now, we are going to train them on Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This is a play route to their being fully computerised.

“Most times, it depends on the governor. Most governors vitiate their judiciary on funds, but I believe that Ogun State will be a different ball game.”

The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, said there would henceforth be no automatic promotion for judicial workers.

She explained that the refresher course/workshop was not only to broaden their knowledge, but packaged to enhance their performances.

“There will be no automatic promotion or advancement, only good performance at competitive promotion examinations and intensive interviews will get you elevated or promoted,” she added.