As protectors and interpreters of the Constitution, it is crucial for the judicial system to uphold the rule of law and foster sustainable development of a healthy economy in Nigeria, where desirable social and economic outcomes are nurtured.
To facilitate a conversation where the learned senior justices could appraise the judicial system vis-à-vis other jurisdictions the AGA-Africa Programme collaborated with the National Judicial Institute on a Retreat for Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices of Nigeria under the theme ‘Achieving Efficiency and Effectiveness in our Judicial System’. The retreat was held on 23rd-25th October 2023 in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
The retreat brought together Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Justices of Nigeria and regional subject matter experts who were Senior Judges from Kenya and Sierra Leone.
This retreat was aimed at providing the honourable justices a platform to self-appraise the judicial system as well as the opportunities and challenges it presents for improvement.
The workshop was officially opened and moderated by Ebelechukwu Enedah, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Nigeria.
AGA-Africa Programme’s Chukukere Unamba-Oparah, the Programme Director and Country Coordinator for Kenya made opening remarks alongside Hon. Justice Salisu Gabar Abdullahi, Administrator, National Judicial Institute.
Hon. Helen Ogunwumiju, Justice, Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered the keynote address on behalf of His Lordship, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The highly engaging sessions facilitated by Hon. Justice Dr. Smokin Wanjala, Judge, Supreme Court of Nigeria and Director, Kenya Judiciary Academy, Hon. Justice Nicholas Colin Browne-Marke, Justice, Supreme Court of Sierra Leone, Hon. Justice Abdu Aboki, Justice, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mojeed Adenkule Owoade, Retired Justice, Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Balkisu Bello Aliyu, Justice, Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kenneth Ikechukwu Amadi, Justice Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, Justice, Court of Appeal of Nigeria and Yakubu Maikyau, President, Nigerian Bar Association.
The retreat was brought to a close by Ebelechukwu Enedah, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Nigeria, who thanked all the participants for attending virtually and in person.
Workshop Outcome
1. Gained insights on the socio-economic factors for efficiency and effectiveness in the Judicial System.
2. Were equipped with the skills and knowledge of effective methodologies of judgement writing while enhancing their understanding of the role of dissenting judgements from other jurisdictions.
3. Enhanced their understanding on the role of the judiciary in effectively adjudicating pertinent issues relating to asset forfeiture.
