Newly confirmed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has called for collaboration between the three tiers of government to re-position the judiciary.
While fielding questions from the Senators on administration of criminal justice, corruption and poor funding Muhammad emphasised that dealing with such areas was key to improving on the judiciary.
CJN Muhammad
He was also of the view that Nigerians must work on themselves for the judiciary to function perfectly.
Justice Muhammad who spoke at the red Chambers on Wednesday while addressing Senators on his confirmation as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria said that the judiciary will not go begging the executives for anything.
“The Nigerian judiciary is only one arm of government, we cannot on our own, except when we put heads together with the legislature and the executive, that we may be able to project Nigerian judiciary to the limelight.
“With due respect, that is not the true position of what is obtained in the society, we rely on what is made as a provision for us, we never go hand in cap begging or asking for anything, because if I ask tomorrow, I will be asked, and I wouldn’t like it. Therefore, we are very careful and we remain contempt with the provision made for us.”
The CJN, Channels Television reported, stated that a lot of amendments need to be done to many laws so that the operations of the Judiciary can be instrumental; particularly a review of the criminal laws of the country to make stiffer penalties that will deter criminals.
“Where we have the opportunity like the one the Senate has provided today if I am permitted to bring all sorts of problems that are becoming stumbling blocks to the progress of the Nigerian judiciary, or particularly, the federal level.
“We hope by the time we go back, we make attempts to bring our proposal for the amendments of many of our laws, when we get them amended, certainly, the operations will be better.
“I intend, God’s willing to project if I have the cooperation of the executive and the legislature.”
He urged lawmakers to look into the financial autonomy of the judiciary, as this would close the ends that could encourage corruption in the judiciary.