CJN Tasks Female Judges On Social Vices

Worried by the rising
cases of violence against women in Nigeria, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has urged female judges to support efforts to curb the social vice.
Speaking at the 2016 national conference of the National Association of Women Judges, Nigeria (NAWJN) in Abuja earlier in the week, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, ably represented by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, said the rampant kidnapping of women and girls, especially in the conflict zones of the northeast of Nigeria, is one of the most tragic side effects of the insurgency in the region, stating that with notable cases having garnered international support, it has become imperative that the judiciary becomes more sensitive by developing ways to address same while still performing statutory duties.
He encouraged the women judges to be more proactive in deterring violence against women as envisaged by recent legislation and also make certain that same is adopted in all states of Nigeria. In his words, “The association must rise through to its calling to encourage new perspectives in the daily dispensation of justice by providing best practices that will enable judiciary to efficaciously dispense justice, using cutting edge means.”
Meanwhile, the president of the Association of Women Judges, Nigeria, a justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, has urged the members of the association to redouble their effort, to positively impact on the society by rededicating themselves to their professional responsibilities.
She advised them to avoid acts capable of tarnishing their image especially on matters bordering on the “politics of the day.” She suggested a move for legislation that can improve the health and welfare of children and women, improvement of the juvenile court system and the establishment of a standard family court system all over Nigeria that meets the global best practices within the ambit of the 1999 Constitution.
“We can have programmes to mentor young secondary school girls to encourage them improve on their education or read law,” she added.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi