Prolonged Justice Dispensation As The Bane Of Nigeria’s Judiciary: Leadership By Example As The Cure

By Sylvester Udemezue

“Delay of justice is injustice”. — Walter Savage Landor

While declaring open the virtual workshop for Directors and Inspectors of Area, Sharia and Customary Courts in the country, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, called on courts in the country to ensure the speedy and efficient delivery of justice in order to continue to sustain the hope of Nigerians and ensure that peace and justice prevail in the society. (https://thenigerialawyer.com/cjn-tasks-courts-on-efficient-justice-delivery/).

In my humble opinion, this charge comes at a time the Supreme court itself unfortunately grants over 12-month-long adjournment in many cases pending before it except political cases of big wigs, to whom our laws apply differently; a country with two sets of laws– one for the rich and mighty, and the other for the downtrodden and lowly placed, like us. Here now is my highly respected Lord “tasking” other judges in the country on “effective justice delivery”.

I respectfully think the tasking should begin from the apex Court of the land where the worst delays in justice administration usually happen. Indeed, in my opinion, the Nigerian Supreme Court is the home of justice delay in Nigeria; other courts merely learn from it how to delay cases, grant Long adjournments ams prolong justice dispensation. So, the best way to preach to other people (as in tasking) is to be a good example of whatever you want to see in others.You don’t lead people by only what you say to them (it won’t work); you lead them by what they see you do. True leaders are self-leaders.

Israelmore Ayivor said, “Leadership is an art expressed by the demonstration of characters worthy of immitation, emulation and inspiration. It is neither a title nor a position. The leader’s job is to show the way. The bottom line is that you can’t tell anything about the condition of the way if you’ve not traveled on it yourself!”. Sunday Adelaja said, “Practice what you preach and let people learn from you. Be the light and source of inspiration that others see”. If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us”. Says Edward Counsel, “The course of justice [sometimes] prevents it” I come in peace.

Respectfully
Sylvester Udemezue
(UDEMS).
(11/08/2021)