The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad Monday charged judicial officers on the need to ensure the protection of human rights, saying all human beings are entitled to it.
The CJN gave the charge in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2022 National Workshop on Practice and Procedure in the Area, Sharia and Customary Courts held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja. The theme of the 2022 workshop ‘ Promoting Efficiency In the Dispensation of Justice in the lower Court’
At the ceremony, the CJN further implored the participants to outlaw and discarded all customs which are repugnant to natural justice and equity.
He said, “It is your responsibility to ensure the protection of human rights by finding and giving expression to the basic rights and freedom to which all human beings are entitled.
“To this end, all customs which are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience, that comes before your courts must be outlawed and discarded; most particularly harmful and inhumane practices proscribed by law.”
He thereafter tasked the participants to leverage on the instrument of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in promoting speedy resolution of cases.
While giving his welcome address, the NJI administrator, Justice Salisu Abdullahi reminded participants that their proficiency and propriety in the discharge of their duties would inspire confidence in every court user.