The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik has cautioned members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Minna Branch over filing frivolous petitions against judicial officers in the state.
The Chief Judge said this at the opening ceremony of the NBA Law Week held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.
She observed that though corruption allegations abound, whether real or a figment of the imagination of those behind them, there is a need for a zero tolerance for corruption, that may rear its ugly head in any form.
According to her, ” The success of the administration of the justice system rests substantially on the independence of the judiciary. It is a topical issue and on the front burner of our national discourse”.
“Corruption, as we all know, is not limited to the illegal exchange of money for undeserved favours.
“It also includes the failure of counsel to see to the prosecution of cases of his client with diligence and honesty”.
She also advised them to work strictly in line with the ethics of the profession required of them in prosecuting their cases, adding that the judiciary was making conscious efforts to provide a conducive environment for the administration of justice in the state despite the lack of funds,
The chairman of the Minna Branch of the NBA, Mohammed Abdulkadir Waziri, earlier in his address said judicial corruption was an impediment to the administration of justice not only in Niger State, the nation as a whole, however, he noted that it was unfair to claim that it only works for the rich and mighty in the society,
