[PHOTOS] Buhari Commissions Body Of Benchers Complex, Lauds Chairman, Olanipekun SAN Says It’s A Major Achievement

*Charges Judges To Remain Honest Arbiters

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Nigerian Judiciary to remain an honest arbiter in the role it plays in the electioneering process, both at the pre and post-election stages.

The President made this remark on Thursday, while commissioning the Body of Benchers (BOB) new Complex in Abuja.

He noted that his administration will not renege in adherence to the rule of Law, which is critical to the progress of any society.

He said having the Complex commissioned  is a major achievement for the BOB and it will bring infrastructural development to the legal profession.  

“It will serve for its meetings, seminars Conferences and also bring in revenue to its coffers. 

“I am not aware of any other institution or organ in the legal profession that draws its membership from all segments of the profession like the BOB. 

“No wonder it is described as consisting of men of the highest distinction in the legal profession.”

He further lauded the Chairman of the Body of Benchers Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, for making a case for the Judicial officers.

“When he visited on the 30th of July, 2022 he was very emphatic in making a case for the Welfare of the Judiciary.  

“I noted his patience and commitment in championing the Welfare of the Judicial Officers in Nigeria. 

The President restated his commitment to improve the welfare of the Judicial Officers. 

Buhari said he awaits the review of the conditions of service of Judicial Officers in Nigeria with other countries and jurisdictions, within and outside Africa by the consultants engaged by the leadership of the BOB, through its Judiciary Advisory Committee,  for the welfare of judicial officers in the country.

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The Chairman of the Body, Olanipekun SAN during his introductory remarks said that the BOB has engaged the services of a leading consulting firm to undertake a peer review of the conditions of service of the Judicial Officers against what is obtained in some other jurisdictions globally. 

Speaking on the complex, he said the building consists of a 3,000-sitting capacity auditorium, a 240-sitting capacity meeting room, a 1,000-sitting capacity banquet hall, a 1,000-sitting capacity multipurpose  hall, Committee meeting room, offices for the Secretariat staff, library, and a Court room for the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, amongst other. 

He thanks President Buhari for commissioning the complex.

He said the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Wike donated N500m to the construction of the edifice.

Other dignitaries present at the event include the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; the Attorney-General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters,  Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Mr. Onofiok Luke, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, amongst others.