Yakubu Busari
A Jos-based legal practitioner and Notary Public,Barr. Niri Darong Esq has said, despite all these challenges, the Judiciary in Nigeria is not just one of the best in Africa, but also one that promotes mutual respect between the bench and the bar in the whole country.
He described as horrible the conditions under which Plateau State Judicial officers operate.
Darong made this disclosure during the occasion of Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary in Jos , Plateau State.
Daron posited that judges and other judicial Staff in the State worked in the most terrible conditions.
According to him, judges in the State work without Legal assistants and conduct all research by themselves. He also noted with dismay that judges in the State don’t have stenographers and as a result, do all their writing longhand which he said is outdated.
He further decried the delipatated nature of judicial infrastructure in the State. “Recently, I saw pictures in the social media of Upper Area Court Kabong.
The court is in a sorry state. The Area Court in Barkin Ladi and the Magistrate Court in Riyom all are in terrible states. Thank God for the Taroh Lawyers who renovated the Upper Area Court Langtang North. Were it not so, it was also in a terrible condition.
The High Court in Pankshin and Barkin Ladi are nothing to write home about. The judge in Barkin Ladi High Court is using an alternative court.
When you go to other states and see their structure, you would appreciate a courtroom unlike Plateau State where all the structures are still those inherited from the colonial masters and they include; the High Court, the Sharia Court and the Customary Court of Appeal respectively.
The current construction that is ongoing at the premises of the state High Court is at a very slow speed, so, something has to be done in good time” Daron said.
The legal practitioner, however, noted with pride and satisfaction that despite all the upheavals, the Plateau State Judiciary has over the years withered the storm and earned itself the desired respect through effective justice delivery. Consequently, he rated it as one of the best not only in Northern Nigeria but the whole country.
“Let me tell you that Anywhere a lawyer from this jurisdiction go for any matter, he is likely to asked by the judge if he’s from Plateau and when the answer is in the affirmative, the judge would say; yes, it’s only a Plateau lawyer that can do this”, he said.
Darong also said that the reason for achieving this feat is simply because Plateau State is having one of the best set of judicial officers a state can ever have.
He further attributed the success to the excellent relationship between the Bar and the Bench. “Quote me anywhere, no litigant has ever bought judgment in this jurisdiction.
The facts of your case give your judgement. Judges in this jurisdiction don’t look at the faces of any litigant or party in a matter because they have the fear of God in them. And when you realized that judges have the fear of God in them and would not favour anybody, it makes the lawyer brace up and does the needful. Because when it’s obvious that money can’t buy you judgement, when you realized that the influence cannot get you judgement, you would be left with no option than to read your books and check your processes very well. So, whatever success that we have recorded is as a result of the great judges that we have in this jurisdiction.
Let me also inform you that we equally hold Bar and Bench Forum once in a while where we discuss our problems. Any judge or lawyer that has an issue brings it to the forum where it is discussed and we look for a way forward. So, I believe the Bar and the Bench Forum has really helped in ensuring the success of the Judiciary in this jurisdiction”.
Barr. Darong specifically applauded judges’ relationship with young Lawyers which he described as that of a father and son and a development he also noted to have served as a source of encouragement to lawyers and equally enhanced their performances. “You would never see a judge in this jurisdiction harassing lawyers especially young lawyers. Judges in this jurisdiction behave and act like parents to young lawyers and it is commendable”, he said.
One other thing the lawyer said has helped tremendously in solidifying the relationship among lawyers most especially in Jos Division is the Dispute Resolution Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Jos Branch where issues that colleagues could not resolve by themselves are taken to stressing that the Committee has achieved great success as no issue has gone beyond it.
