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EMERGINGISSUESINCIVILANDCRIMINALPROCEEDINGSINTHE

MAGISTRATECOURTS.

INTRODUCTIONHaving perused through the instant topic “Emerging issues in civil and criminalproceedings in the Magistrate Courts”, I realized that it is pertinent to definesomekeyphrasesandwordstherein.

Theword“emerge”means“comeoutintoview,asfromconcealment1whilsttheword “emerging”means coming tomaturity”2 which is synonymous to “rising”Fromageneralperspective,theword“issue”isdefinedas“asubjectorproblemthatpeoplediscussorargueabout”3

From the above given definitions it could be rightly deduced that “EmergingIssues”thereforemeansissuesthathavearisencallingfordiscussionordebateorargument.Obviously, thefellowwhoframedthetopic isaskingmetopointoutthe arising issues and proffer solutions that would go a long way tomake thecareerofaMagistrateanenviableone.AndthisIamdisposedtodotothebestofmyability.

EMERGINGISSUES

What then are the imminent “emerging issues”. The emerging issues to bediscussedspecificallyheretoindetailsareasfollows:

1. The position or status of Magistrate courts in the hierarchy of courts inNigeria.

2. ThejurisdictionoftheMagistrateCourts3. WhetherRobingoftheMagistratesofallcadresisnecessary?4. ThequalitiesoftheMagistrate5. AdministrationofJustice.

1ArcusDictionary.(Internet)2(Supra)3MacmillanDictionary

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6. Prisoncongestions7. Thecourt’sproceedingsvis-à-visothercourtsproceedings.8. Holdingcharge:Thepositionofthelaw.9. PhysicalstructuresandfacilitiesoftheMagistratecourts.10. CorruptionintheJudiciary.

THE POSITION OR STATUS OF MAGISTRATE COURTS IN THE HIERARCHY OFCOURTSINNIGERIA.

AccordingtoBlacks lawDictionary“AMagistrate isa judicialofficerwithstrictlylimited jurisdictionandauthorityoftenonthe local levelandoftenrestrictedtocriminalcases”4.

CourtsinNigeriamaybeclassifiedinseveralways.Butthemostimportantformsofclassificationarefirst,classificationintoSuperiorCourtsandInferiorCourtsandsecond, classification into courts of record and courts other than courts ofrecord5.

Superior courts are usually described as courts of unlimited jurisdiction. In thestrict sense of the term “Unlimited Jurisdiction, no court in Nigeria has suchjurisdiction. But Superior courts are so described because the limits to theirJurisdiction areminimal. They haveminimal jurisdictional limitswith respect tothetypeofsubjectmatterbuttheyarenotlimitedinjurisdictionwithrespecttothemerevalueofthesubjectofacase6.

Thus,theHighCourtofaStateisaSuperiorcourtforithasunlimitedjurisdictionthroughout the state with respect of the value of the subject-matter. Whilstinferiorcourtsarecourts,whichhavejurisdictionallimitswithrespecttothetypeandvalueofsubjectmatter7.

MagistrateCourtsareexampleofinferiorcourts.TheinferiorcourtsarenormallysubjecttothesupervisoryjurisdictionofHighcourts.

4BlacksLawDictionary9thEdition.Page1036,Para4,BryanA.Garner,EditorinChief.5Nigerianlegalsystem,ProfessorObiladeP.169.6(Supra)7(Supra)

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AcourtofrecordmaybeaSuperiorCourtoraninferiorcourt.ForexampleHighCourtofaStateisasuperiorcourtofrecordandaMagistratecourtisaninferiorcourtofrecord8.

Undersection6(5)ofthe1999constitutionoftheFederalRepublicofNigeria(asamended)theSuperiorCourtsofrecordwerethereinlisted.Theyareasfollows:

a. TheSupremeCourtofNigeriab. TheCourtofAppealc. TheFederalHighCourtd. TheNationalIndustrialCourtofNigeria.e. TheHighCourtoftheFederalCapitalTerritory,Abuja.f. AHighCourtofaState.g. TheShariaCourtofAppealoftheFederalCapitalTerritory,Abuja.h. AShariacourtofAppealofaStatei. CustomarycourtofAppealoftheFCTAbuja.j. CustomaryCourtofAppealofaState.

It was in 2011 that the National Industrial Court was placed under the list ofSuperior Courts of record9. The court was once declared by Supreme Court in2010 as an inferior court having not been listed in Section 6 of the 1999constitution10.

The Supreme Court which was established in 1963 by the Constitution of theFederationisthehighestcourtinNigeria.Thus,itisthefinaljudicialauthorityinNigeria, thenext courton thepyramidof superior court is the courtofAppeal.The “Court of Appeal” formerly called Federal Court of Appeal was firstestablishedon1stOctober,1976.JustliketheSupremeCourt,theCourtofAppealhasbothoriginalandappellatejurisdiction.

Other superior courts of record that follow the court of Appeal in terms ofhierarchyofrankarethecourtsthathaveco-ordinatejurisdiction,thatisappealfromeachofthemgoestothecourtofappealandnonecansitovertheappealfromanother.TheyareFederalHighCourt,National IndustrialCourt,Highcourt8SeeNurukuV.Police(1955)15WACA239SeeSection254aoftheCFR,.1999(asamended)10NationalUnionofElectricityEmployeesV.BureauofPublicEnterprises(2010)7NWLR(Pt1194)538.

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oftheFCT,Abuja,HighCourtofastate,ShariacourtofappealofastateandthatofFCT,AbujaandtheCustomaryCourtofAppealofaStateandFCT,Abuja.

The inferior courts in Nigeria include Magistrate courts, customary courts andShariacourtsetc.Theyareindeedseenas“grassroot”courts.

Thesuperiorcourtsofrecordareofhigherbenchwhilstthoseinferiorcourtsareoflowerbench.

TheMagistrates are of various grades namely; ChiefMagistrate (Grades I& II),SeniorMagistrates(GradesI&II)andMagistrates(GradesI,II&III).

Magistrates have jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases. The extent of thejurisdictionofaMagistratedependsonhisgradeandsodoestheamountoffineorimprisonmenthecanimpose11.

HOLDINGCHARGE:THEPOSITIONOFTHELAW.

Therighttopersonal liberty isoneofthefundamentalrightsthathavereceivedand is still receiving immense attention in terms of the number of litigationfoundedonitsbreachandenforcement12.

Also,itisoneofthemostcrucialfundamentalrightsbecauseoftheconstantneedtobalanceindividuallibertyagainstwhatthegovernmentsareapttodescribeasnationalinterestornationalsecurity13.

Itistherightnottobesubjectedtoimprisonment,arrestandanyotherphysicalcoercioninanymannerthatdoesnotadmitoflegaljustification14.

The question of civil liberty is one which has dominated constitutionaljurisprudence and firmly rooted in constitutional history15. In Moderngovernment, thepresenceor absenceof civil liberty hasbecome the indices to

11Thelawisforall.JusticeAkinola12IkeD.Uzo,GuidetofundamentalRightslitigationP.D13AkinIbidabo–Obe–EssaysonHumanRightsLawinNigeria(2005)P.34.14ECSWade,LawoftheConstitutiion10thEd.Chap.5pp.207-20815TheSupremecourtdecisioninLUFADEJUV.JOHNSON(2007)8NWLR(pt.1037)535:MattersArisingbyAmadiJerry,Esqinthesolicitor–ajournalofthelawstudentsassociationofRiversstateUniversityofscienceandTechnology,PortHarcourt,2007Vol.VII,PP.13and40

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measurewhetheraconstitutionalgovernment,theruleof law,dueprocessandconstitutionalbehaviourareavailableinanygivensociety16.

Even during the period of War, the language of the law has always been tomaintain civil liberty, and the courts in different jurisdictions have fought toguaranteeitandsecuresame.17

Apart from the philosophical and legal theories of the past the universaldeclarationsofhumanrightsandexpectationsofthecivilizedworld,theissueofcivil liberty forms part of themost entrenched provisions of our constitutionalframework.

Under section 35(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which is right topersonallibertyitisprovidedasfollows:

“Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall bedeprived of such liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with aprocedurepermittedbylaw”

a. In execution of the sentence or order of a court in respect of a criminaloffenceofwhichhehasbeenfoundguilty.

b. Byreasonofhis failuretocomplywiththeorderofacourtor inordertosecurethefulfillmentofanyobligationimposeduponhimbylaw.

c. Forthepurposeofbringinghimbeforeacourtinexecutionoftheorderofcourt or upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed a criminaloffence,or to suchextentasmaybe reasonablynecessary topreventhiscommittingacriminaloffence”

Incidentally,therightsofcitizenstopersonallibertymustbeweighedagainstthepowers of the police to arrest and detain suspects as well as their power toinvestigate criminal allegations made against persons suspected to havecommittedoffences.

Some of the laid down principles of liberty are that a person who has beendetained for any allegedoffencemust be brought to courtwithin a reasonable

16(Supra)17(Supra)

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time18. Although in legal parlance reasonable time has always been a relativeconcept, determinable by the facts of individual cases, the constitutionalprescriptionasitaffectscivillibertyisoneortwodaysasthecasemaybe19.

For the purpose of charging a person before a High Court, the prosecution isrequired to file an information. The process of filing information and obtainingleave to prefer a charge may not be secured within the reasonable timecontemplatedundertheconstitution.

However,inordernottodetainasuspectbeyondtheconstitutionallimits,whichmay occur in the process of filing information, the police almost always chargesuspects before Magistrate courts in order to obtain remand orders from thecourt, and give legal colouration to the continual detention of the accusedpersons.MosttimestheoffenceswithwhichtheaccusedarechargedbeforetheMagistrates are beyond their jurisdictional competence. Quite often theMagistrates while admitting want of jurisdiction on their part will remand theaccusedtocustody,andgivedirectivestothepolicetoforwardthecasefilestotheDirectorofPublicProsecution(DPP)oranydesignatedlawofficer.

Thispracticeknownas“holdingcharge”hasbecomesocommonorconventionaltopromptonetoconcludethatitisconstitutional.ButactivistlawyersandjudgeshaveconsistentlymaintainedthatthepracticeisunknowntoLaw.

Nevertheless, the first legislative attempt to givehueof constitutionality to thepractice was made in Lagos State, where its House of Assembly inserted intosection236ofthecriminalprocedurelaw,subsection3,totheeffectthat:

“IfanypersonarrestedforanyindictableoffenceisbroughtbeforeMagistrateforremand,suchmagistrateshallremandsuchpersonincustodyorwhereapplicablegrantbailtohimpendingthearraignmentofsuchpersonbeforetheappropriatecourtortribunalfortrial”

Thisinnovationwasperceivedbysomeanalystsasaconfermentofjurisdictionbylegislative means beyond the contemplation of the constitution and it was

18S.35(4)ofthe1999constitution(asamended)19AmadiJeny,Esq(Supra)

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expected in no distant time, the supreme court of Nigeria will strike out theprovisionasitsAmericanCounterparthaddoneinMarburyV.Madision20

Incidentally, the expectation howbeit ironically was answered in Lafadeju V.Johnson21.Herepursuanttosection236(3)ofthecriminalprocedurelaw,the1stAppellant,achiefmagistrategrade1,remandedtherespondenttocustody.Therespondentappliedat theHighCourtof LagosState for theenforcementofhisfundamental rights, and sought in particular a declaration that the remandingorderwasunconstitutional.

AtthecourtofAppeal,theappellatecourtheldthatholdingchargeisunknowntolawandunconstitutional.

TheAppellantbeingaggrievedandnotsatisfiedwiththedecisionofthecourtofappeal,appealedtotheSupremeCourt,andtheSupremeCourtinthecourseofconsideringtheconstitutionalityofsection236(3)oftheLagosStateCPLheldthatthe subsection rather thanbeing indiscordwith the constitutionwas indeed inaccord with the constitution, The Supreme Court per, Onnoghen, JSC held asfollows:

“Section236 (3)of theCPL isnotunconstitutional… if anything the said sectionclearlycomplementstheprovisionsofsection32ofthe1979constitution22andisdesignedtoaidtheadministrationofcriminaljusticeinthiscountry.Weoweitadutynottotoywithanallegationasgraveastreasonable felonyneithershouldweplaydowntheimportanceofindividuallibertyandfreedom.

Whatsection236(3)oftheCPLdoesistomaintainabalancebetweenthetwobydoingawaywiththetendencyofarbitraryandneardetentionofsuspectswithoutorderofcourt”

InhisowndigestofthecaseLufadejuV.Johnson23,JerryAmadi,alearnedAuthorand University lecturer laid down the followingMatters arising” which I agree

20ICranch(1903)V.S.13721(Supra)22Nowsection35ofthe1999constitution

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withhim“Thedebate isover.Thescopeof the jurisdictionofMagistratecourtshaswidenedinaverymaterialarea.Thisexpansionofjurisdictionishowevernotprocuredbyjudicialmeans,butbylegislativeprescriptions.InLufadejuV.Johnsonthe Supreme Court interpreted the effect of section 236 (3) of the Lagos StateCPL. It is the statute that conferred the jurisdiction and not their Lordship’sdecision. In effect, the decision will not apply to extend the jurisdiction ofMagistrate Courts in other states nor coat themwith power to remandwhereequivalent provisions have not been enacted in the laws of such States by theappropriateHousesofassembly.

Consequently,itwillbeholdingchargeinanyotherstatewheretheMagistrateinwantofjurisdictionremandsasuspect.

Jurisdictioniswithoutdoubtwantingwhereprovisionsequivalenttosection236(3) CPL Lagos state is not contained in the statute book of any state. It isrecommended that in order to draw from the policy – laden decision of theSupremeCourtintheLufadeju’scase,theHousesofAssemblyoftheotherstatesshouldincorporatetheessenceofsection236(3)oftheLagosstatelawintotheirstatutesoncriminalprocedure”.WehavesimilarprovisioninDeltaStateCriminalProcedureLaw2006.

LafadejuV.JohnsonvalidatedtheprovisionintheLagosStatesection236(3)CPL.

It didnot validate “anassumption” that suchaprovisionexistswhere in fact it

doesnot.Therefore,inanystatewhereaprovisionsimilartothatofLagosState

doesnotexist,CourtofAppealdecisions likeOlawoyeV.Cop24,whichdeclared

thatholdingchargeisunknowntoourlawwouldstillbegoodauthority

In line with the decision of the Supreme Court in Lufadeju’s case as regards

section 236 (3) of the CPL of Lagos State, the National Assembly has enacted

someprovisionsalmostlikethatofLagosStateunderS.373oftheAdministration

ofCriminalJusticeAct,2015whichisneverthelessdistinctlycoinedasfollows:

23(Supra)24(2006)ALLFWLR(Pt309)1482at1495

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S.373(1)–“Alawofficer,incasewhereachargeofanindictableoffenceisbeingproceededwith summarily by aMagistrate,may, at any time before judgmentrequesttheMagistratetodealwiththecaseasonefortrialoninformation.

(2)On receipt of the request theMagistrate shall adjourn the proceeding untilsuch a time as information or charge is filed in the High court, providedinformation shall be filed within a period of thirty days of the date the ordergrantingtherequest.

(3) The Magistrate shall make the case returnable for a period not exceedingthirty-twodaysfromthedateofthegrantoftherequest.

(4)Whereattheendoftheperiodofthirtydaysprovidedinsubsection(2)ofthissection,theinformationorchargeagainstthedefendanthasnotbeenfiledattheHigh Court, theMagistrate shall proceed on the return date to try the chargesummarilywherehehasjurisdiction,ormakeanorderreleasingthedefendantonbail pending his arraignment on the information or charge as requested by thelawofficer.

Whenonecomparessection236(3)oftheLagosStateCPLandsection373oftheFederal Administration of criminal justice act, 2015, it is apparent that theMagistrateinLagosStatehasnolimitastowhenhisremandcouldlastwhilstthatof themagistrate under Federal Administration of JusticeAct 2015 has only 30days, otherwise the Defendant or Accused will be released on bail, if theinformationisyettobefiledattheHighcourt.ManystatesoftheFederationareyettoinsertsimilarprovisionsintheircriminalprocedurelawlikeLagosStateandthatofthefederalAdministrationofJusticeAct.

It has since been noticed that somemagistrates have rather appropriated thispowertoremandtheAccusedpendingwheninformationisfiledintheHighCourttoperpetrateakindofpolarization. InapaperpresentedbyEmekaNgige,SANtitled“DueprocessandtheNigerianJudiciary:Wheredidwegowrong?”25

25(a)Atthesectiononlegalpracticeforum(civillitgationcommittee)ofNigerianBarAssociationAnnualBarConferenceholdinginLagosfromAugust17-21,2009.(b)See–Also–CivillitigationJournalof2008–2010,P.78

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Helamentedasfollows:

“it isnolongernewsthatMagistrateshavebecomewillingtoolsintheHandsofstateGovernorsandsomesecurityagencies topersecutepoliticalopponentsofthe rulingparty. Everydaywe read reportsofMagistrates remanding toprisoncustodypoliticalopponentsoftherulingpartyarraignedintheircourts.Theydonot care whether the offences to which the accused persons are charged arebailable.

TheyarenotbotheredbytheprovisionsofSection32oftheconstitutiondealingwith liberty of Nigerian citizens. Once arraigned, the victim finds himselfremandedinprisoncustodywhilethecaseisadjournedformonthsforrulingonbailapplication.ArecentillustrationofthepointbeingmadetookplaceinAbujawhereamagistrateonanexparteapplicationorderedthepolicetodetainalegalpractitioner accused of forgery for 21 days pending investigation! In Osun,Sokoto,Kebbi,GombeandBauchiStatesithasbecomearegularfeaturefortheMagistrates to detain political opponents of the ruling party for inordinatelengthyperiodswithouttrials.

Thesemagistratesare supposed tobemembersof the legalprofessionandaresupervisedbytheChiefJudgesoftheirvariousstateJudiciaries”

Prof.MuhammedTawfigLadan26,iscreditedtohavestatedasfollowing:-

“Thepracticeof themagistratewhogrants remandordernot inquiring into the

connectionbetweenthesuspectandthecrime.Conversely,anaccusedpersonis

notheardbeforeheisremanded.Ineffectindividualswhohavenothingwhatso

ever to do with a crime can be detained indefinitely for a crime they know

nothingabout”.

26SeeNigeriaBarJournalNo1,August2011,PP47-48byMuhammadTawifiqLadanPhd.ProfessorofLaw,DeptofPublicLawfacilityoflaw,Abu,Zaria,SeehisArticleintheNigerianBarJournalNo.1,August2011,PP.47-48

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PRISONCONGESTION

AFebruary26,2008pressreleaseof theAmnesty international rightlycapturedtheconditionsofourprisonswhenitstatedthus:

“Nigeria’s prisons are filled with people whose human rights aresystematically violated. Approximately 65 percent of the inmates areawaiting trial, most of whom have been waiting for their trial for years.Most of the people in Nigeria’s prison are too poor to be able to paylawyers and only one in seven of those awaiting trial have private legalrepresentation”

“Living conditions in the prison are appalling. They are damaging to thephysical andmentalwell being of inmates and inmany cases, constituteclear threats to health conditions such as overcrowding, poor sanitation,lackoffoodandmedicinesanddenialofcontactwithfamiliesandfriends,fallshortofU.N.standardsforthetreatmentofprisoners”.

The worst conditions constitute ill-treatment. In many Nigerian prisons,inmatessleeptwotoabedoronthefloorinfilthycells.

Toiletsareblockedandoverflowingorsimplynon-existent,andthereisnorunningwater.Asaresult,diseaseiswidespread”

The above snippet information shows that there is no cheery news from theNigerianprisons.

However,acarefulstudyof theviewsofAmnesty Internationalasencapsulatedabovewillshowthattheblameforall thedepressing informationcanhardlybeplaced at the doorstep of the prisons27. The prisons are nothing but merereceptacles.Theirroleistoreceivetheinmatessenttothembythecourts28.

That frequent jail deliveries by Chief Judges of various states has onlyminimalimpactontheproblemofovercrowdinginprisonsisunderscoredbythefactthat

27Hon.JusticeObieDanielKalio,(nowJCA),inhispaper“AnoverviewoftheshortcomingoftheJusticeDeliverysysteminNigeriaon27/5/2009atPortHarcourt28(Supra)

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apresidentialtaskforceonprisonreformsanddecongestionledtothereleaseofabout 8, 000 prison inmates in 1999, yet, the problem of prison overcrowdingremains29.

The shortcomings in the prisons can be overcome if some degree of financialautonomy is given to the prisons in the states under a programme ofdecentralizationofmanagement.

This is to overcome the problem of prison Authorities in the states expectingeverythingneededtoruntheirlocalprisonsfromtheHeadquartersinAbuja.

Inthesamepressrelease,citedabovetheAmnestyInternationalalsocommentedonprisonofficialsasfollows:

“Prison staff work long and stressful hours for lowwages that are oftenpaid late. Poor pay often leads to petty extortions of prisoners and staffshortagescreatesecurityrisksforbothstaffandinmates.Inmatesareoftenrelied on to govern themselves and have taken on disciplinary functions,including meting out corporal punishment, confinement and dietrestrictions–allofwhichdonotcomplywithinternationalstandards”.

As part of solutions,moremodern prisons facilities should be built, other thancontinuedaccommodationoftheprisoninmatesinthecolonialfacilities.

Oneof thegoalsofaprison is to reform theprisoner. Thegoal isdefeated if aprisonerreturnstothesocietyasagreatermenace.

Thereisthereforeneedformorestaff,moretrainingandbettersalaries.

Nodoubt,iftheshortcomingshighlightedhereinaboveareaddressed,theprisonasapillarinthejusticedeliverysystemwillbestrengthenedandthusenabledtocontribute.Itsparttowardsabetterjusticedeliverysystem.

TheNigerianPrisonshavenooperationalvehicles,especiallythe“BlackMaria”toconveyawaitingtrialinmatestoandfromcourtsaswhenduetoanswertotheircharges,resultinginbacklogofcasesincourtsandultimatelyprisoncongestion.

29(Supra)

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TheneedtoreformtheNigerianprisonservicetoenableitperformeffectivelyisnowmorecompellingthanhitherto.ThePrisonActCap.36lawsoftheFederation1990isnotinconsonancewithacceptableglobalstandards30.

The review of the Act should agree with the social objectives of the state ascontainedinSection17ofthe1999constitution31.

ROBING:SHOULDTHEMAGISTRATESROBELIKETHESUPERIORCOURTJUDGES

Oneoftheattractivefeaturesofthe legalprofession,mostlytoyoungpeople isthe mode of dressing32. Dark suits, bibs, collarettes studs, wigs and gowns, allthesearelawapparelswhichformanimportantaspectoftheprofession33.

The“wigandgown”sumupthelawyerinthepublicmind34.

Onsuccessfullycompletinghiscourseatthelawschool,thestudentis“calledtothebar”withpompandpageantryandsubsequentlyenrolledtopracticeat theBarasaSolicitorandAdvocate35.OnthatmemorabledayofhiscalltoBar,heputonhiswigandgownforthefirsttime.

The“wigandgown”ascostumeisonethingthatisevenenoughtopromptsomepeoplegetintotheprofession,Thatis,itissoadmiredbyall.LawyersandJudgesstarted wearing wigs in court around 1680. They were simply following thefashionoftheday.Atthattimetheysignified“wealthandstatus”.

InthisEuropeanseventhcenturycostume,there isasmallhiddenpocket inthehoodat thebackof thegownfor the“Honorarium”.Thissupposedtopreservethereluctanceoftheprofessiontomoveintothemodernworld. It isfairtosaythatthiscostumehasbeendeliberatelymaintainedtomakelawyers,as“officers”ofthecourtasimpersonalanddignifiedaspossible36

30SeeLACONNEWS–AquarterlypublicationofthelegalAidCouncilofNigeria5thEditionVol.2,No.5June2009.31(Supra)32EsqLegalPractices,NBASpecialEdition,2009atP.42.33(Supra).34Thelawisforall:JusticeAkinolaApara(AretiredChiefJudgeofOsunState),P.(Supra)P.107.35SeeBarNews–AmonthlyPublicationofthePortHarcourtBar–28thOct.2009,A.17.36JusticeAkinolaApara(Supra)

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Thewigsareworntoprovideanonymitynotinthesenseofprovidingadisguiseorcamouflage,butadistancingfrompersonalinvolvement37.

AccordingtotheAuthoroftheLawyers’DressCode38.“theWigisanemblemofprivilegeandyoungBarristerarekeentoretainthem,SeniormembersoftheBarlessso.Wigsconferdignityandsolemnityoncourtproceedings”thereforeifoneagreeswith the fact thatwigs and gown confer dignity and solemnity on courtproceedings, it should therefore be recommended herein that ourMagistratesshouldberobedincourtaswellasthecounselthatappearbeforethem.Onestillwonders why the magistrates do not robe during court proceedings like theJudgesdespitethefactthattheyareall“dispensingjustice”.Thereasoncouldbefor the sake of distinguishing a lower Bench/Inferior court from a HigherBench/Superior court of record. And it is a convention Nigerian legal systeminherited from Britain and it is still so in Britain. But the time is ripe for us tochangethisaspectofMagistratesmodeofdressing.

When theMagistrates are allowed to robe, surely, there will be a new inbuiltaura, confidence, job satisfaction, enthusiasm and dignity that theMagistrateswillnaturallyexhibitforgood.

THEQUALITIESOFAMAGISTRATE/JUDGE

ThequalityofJusticedependsmoreuponthequalityofthemenwhoadministerthelawthanonthecontentofthelawtheyadminister39.

UnlessthoseappointedtotheBencharecompetentanduprightandfreetojudgewithoutfearandfavour,ajudicialsystemhoweversounditsstructuremaybeonpaperisboundtofunctionpoorinpractice40.

Thereisnobettertestoftheexcellenceofagovernmentthantheefficiencyofitsjudicialsystem41fornothingnearlytouchesthewelfareandsecurityofthecitizen

37BarNews38(Supra)39Schwarts,thelearnedAuthorof“AmericanConstitutionalLawpublishedin1955,P.13040(Supra)41Bryce,MordernDemocraciesVol.II,P.421

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than his knowledge that he can rely on the certain, prompt and impartialadministrationofjustice42.

JudicialIndependencecannotbecompleteunlesstheJudgesonwhoseshoulderslie the responsibility for the dispensation of justice, are endowed with certainqualitiesandattributes43.

Basically,thepersontobesoappointedasjudgeorMagistrateshallhavesatisfiedtheminimumrequirementintermsofprofessionalqualificationandappropriateexperience.ManyJuristshaverecommendedtheattributesexpectedofthosetobeappropriatedasJudgesandMagistratesovertheirfellowmensincetheBenchofanycountryisinnodoubtareflectionofitsBar.

Atthisjuncture,letusturntotherecommendedattributeslaiddownbyaretiredSupremeCourt Justice,Hon. Justice PhilipNnaemekaAgu44, That a Judge to bemustpossess:

1. Amanofsoundlearningandintellectaswellasonewhohasanavidthirstfor knowledge. Hemust be aman of learning with a searching and avidthirst for reading: for our legal system and laws are complex andcomplicatedandrelysomuchonprecedent.Hemustbyhisstudiesbeabletocatchupwiththedynamicsofoureverchangingsociety.TheJudgemustbe amanwhose learning and broad education tower abovemany otherwelleducatedlawyers.

2. Hemustbepossessedofintelligenceabovetheordinary,otherwisehemaynot be able to sift thewheat from the chaff after awell researched andreasonedargumentfrombothsidesoncomplicatedissuesoflawandfacts.

3. Hemustbeamanoftransparenthonestyandhighintegrity.Areputationfor uprightness is an indispensable qualification for a Judge, more oftenthannot ahighly religiousman,whether aMuslimor aChristian ismorelikelytobeofthetypeofcharacterexpectedofaJudgethananirreligiousman.Theformerhasstandardsasaguide,thelaterhasnot.

42Dr.Appadorai,thesubstanceofpolities,P.56743JusticeBubaAdo(ofblessedmemory,thanasChiefJudgeofGongolaState)inhispaperdeliveredduringallJudgesconferenceatIlorinin1982titled“TheplaceoftheJudiciaryinconstitution.44JusticeNnaemekaAgu,JSGChapter21“IndependenceoftheJudiciary,LawdevelopmentandAdministrationinNigeria”p.516.

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4. Suchamanshouldhoweverbeknowntobeacourageousmanratherthana timorous religious stooge. That courage is necessary not only for theJudgetohanddownhisJudgmentswhereJusticelieswithoutfearorfavourbutalsotoresistthetemptationofoutrageousinfluencesandpressureofpower.Heshouldbeabletointerpretandapplythelawtothefactsofanycasewithoutcaringwhoseoxisgored.

5. Heshouldbeamanofpatience,impartialityandindependentoutlookeveninmostcriticalsituations.

6. Thejudgeshouldbeabletoresistanytemptationofbribe.7. Agoodjudgeshouldhaveagoodstandinginthelegalprofession.

Inconclusion,IhumblysuggestthatheadsofJudiciariesshouldendeavourtoseethatonlythoselawyersthathavethequalitiesenumeratedaboveareappointedas Judges andMagistrates; otherwisewrong ones if let inwill later posemoreproblemstothejusticedeliverysystem.

PROVISIONOFINFRASTRUCTURESANDFACILITIES

There is need for prompt provision of the infrastructure and renovation of theJudges and Magistrates quarters and court halls if the justice delivery systemmust be enhanced, the infrastructure for Judicial officers including theMagistrates.Hon.JusticeObieKalio,(thenoftheRiversStateHighCourt)45.Hadanoccasiontomakethefollowingstatement.

“ImustsaythatweinRiversStateareblessedwithsomeofthebestinfrastructure–Courthalls,residentialaccommodation,andcourtequipment–inthecountry.Moreofsuchfacilitiesarebeingadded in the various judicial divisions old and new, across thestateand in theheadquarters in PortHarcourt. The same thinghowevercannotbesaidofmanystatesinthecountry”

“Good infrastructure makes for a conducive atmospheretherebycontributing toproductivity. Infrastructure isnotonlyabout functional buildings, it includes the provision of books

45NowoftheCourtofAppeal.

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regularly and also the provision of effective recordingfacilities”46.

As amatter of fact,most of our court halls arenot conducive enough tosupport Justice delivery system. Some of them are colonial buildings,withoutgooddoors,windowsandceilings–lackoffunctionalairconditionsor indeednon-existentairconditioners.Sometimescasesareprematurelyadjournedasaresultoflackoffacilitiesthathavebeenprevailing.

Here, I enjoin various Governments to see that steps are taken to buildstructuresofhighstandardinrespectoftheJudicialofficersresidenceandcourthalls.

JURISDICTION OF THE MAGISTRATE COURTS – WHETHER TO BEINCREASED?

1. CRIMINALJURISDICTIONOFMAGISTRATECOURT

Magistrate courts are creations of the states and their jurisdiction incriminal matters are limited to those contained in the statutes creatingthem47.DependingontheparticularlawcreatingorestablishingMagistratecourts,intryingindictableoffenceaMagistratecourtcannotimposemoretermofsentenceorfinethen.Ithaspowertodostatutorily.

For example, where with the consent of the accused person a ChiefMagistrate tries an offence contrary, to S.40 of the criminal code, anoffencecarryingimprisonmentforlife,theChiefmagistratecannotimposemore than 7 years imprisonment term on the accused person if he isconvicted.InthesamevainifaMagistrateinonetrialtriesandconvictsanaccused person in a 4-count charge, imposing separate terms ofimprisonment on the accused person. The aggregate of the sentencespassed shall not exceed the statutory limit of the Magistrate or 4 years

46SeetheNigeriabarAssociationTheCivilLitigationcommitteeconferencepapersdeliveredonWed17th–Thursmay,2009JusticeObiekalio.47CasesandmaterialsoncriminalprocedureActandCodewithcriminalproceduresRules–lawsofthefederation2004–BYPrincetonpublishingcompany.

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whichever is greater48. In Emone V. IGP 49, the trialMagistrate convictedthe accused person for 3 different offences and imposed differentsentences of imprisonment to the extent that the total term exceeded 1yearwhichhestatutorilyhaspowertoimpose.Onappeal,itwasheldthatthough he had power to impose consecutive sentences of imprisonmentthe aggregate of such should not exceed his statutory limit. The sameprincipleisapplicabletofines.

TheMagistrateinimposingtermsofimprisonmentcanorderthesentencestorunconcurrentlyorconsecutively,andnotethatorderoffinein lieuofimprisonmentcanbemade50.

As I have pointed out earlier, theMagistrate Courts are graded from theMagistrateCourtsofvariousgrades toChiefMagistrateGrade1,which isthehighestofall theMagistrateCourtshierarchy.However, thepowertohear and determine an offence and, the punishment to be imposeddependedonthestatusandclassoftheMagistrateCourtasenshrinedbythelawsestablishingthecourtandtheoffence51.

The Chief Judge of the State has the power to divide the state intoMagisterialDistricts52.

48(Supra)49S.382CPA,SeeFashisiV.ThePolice(1953)20NLR12650S.382CPA,SeeFashisiV.ThePolice(1953)20NLR12651NikiTobiJSC(Retired)SourcesofNigerianLaw,Lagos,M.J.ProfessionalPublishersLtd.1996,16.52Section3oftheDeltaStateMagistrateCourtLaw,2008

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MAGISTRATE COURT OF DELTA STATE JURISDICTION TO IMPOSEPUNISHMENT53

S/N COURT GRADE YEARS OFIMPRISONMENT

AMOUNT OFFINE

1 ChiefMagistrate GradeI 7years N70002 ChiefMagistrate GradeII 6years N50003 Seniormagistrate GradeI 4years N50004 SeniorMagistrate GradeII 2years N50005 Magistrate GradeI 1year N20006 Magistrate GradeII 1year N20007 Magistrate GradeII 1year N2000

MAGISTRATECOURTOFEDOSTATEJURISDICTIONTOIMPOSEPUNISHMENTS/N COURT GRADE YEARS OF

IMPRISONMENTAMOUNT OFFINE

1 ChiefMagistrate GradeI 7years N70002 ChiefMagistrate GradeII 6years N50003 Seniormagistrate GradeI 5years N30004 SeniorMagistrate GradeII 4years N20005 Magistrate GradeI 3year N10006 Magistrate GradeII 2year N500

7 Magistrate GradeII 1year N200

53Sections21and22oftheDeltaStateMagistrateCourtLaw2008

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5. POWEROFGOVERNORTOINCREASEJURISDICTIONOF

MAGISTRATESTheGovernormayuponrecommendationof theChief Judge,bywritingunder his hand authorize an increased jurisdiction in civil and criminalmattersorinbothtobeexercisedbyanymagistratetosuchextentasthechief Judgemayonsuchrecommendationspecify.SuchauthoritymayatanytimeberevokedbytheGovernorbywritingunderhishand.

6. CIVILJURISDICTIONOFTHEMAGISTRATECOURTByvirtueofsection19(1) (a)– (e)theDeltaStatemagistratecourtsLaw2006,theciviljurisdictionoftheMagistrateCourtiscoverasfollows:a. Inallpersonalsuitswhetherarisingfromcontractorfromtortorfrom

bothwherethedebtordamagesclaimedwhetherasbalanceclaimedorotherwise,isnotmorethanN250,000forachiefmagistrategradeIandN200,000forChiefMagistrateGradeII.

b. InallsuitsbetweenLandlordandTenantforpossessionofanylandsorHousesclaimedunderagreementorrefusedtobedeliveredup,wheretheannualvalueorrentdoesnotexceedN250,000forChiefMagistrategradeIandN200,000forChiefMagistrategradeII.

c. Toappointguardiansad litemandtomakesuchordersandgiveandissuedirectionsrelatingthereto

d. Tograntinanysuitinstitutedinthecourtinjunctionsororderstostaywasteoralienationor fordetentionandpreservationofanypropertythesubjectofsuchsuit,ortorestrainbreachesofcontractsortorts.

e. In any appeal for the decision of an Assessment Appeal Tribunalconstituted under the provisions of the Local Government (Ratingprovisions)Law.

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7. RECONCILIATIONOFPARTIESBEFORETHECOURT

Under sections33,34and35 of themagistratecourt lawofDeltaState,2006, themagistrate courts are given the power to reconcile the partiesbeforethemandforthematterstheyhavejurisdictiontodealwithS.34 “Where a civil Suit or proceeding is pending, theMagistratemaypromote reconciliation among the parties thereto and encourage andfacilitatetheamicablesettlementthereof”

S. 35 “Magistrates in certain criminal casesmay promote reconciliationand encourage and facilitate the settlement in an amicable way ofproceedingforcommonassault,anyothereffectnotamountingtofelonyandnotaggravated indegree,ontermsofpaymentofcompensationorothertermsapprovedbyhimandthereuponordertheproceedingstobestayed”.TheaboveprovisionsonreconciliationarerelatedtoOrder25Rule2(c)of theHighCourt,ofDelta State (Civil Procedure)2009,wherein JudgestooareenjoinedtoencourageADRjusticedeliverysystem.AndthisisinconsonanceoftheburningfireagitationforAlternativedisputeresolution(ADR) the world over. The Delta State Government in pursuance toamicableandquicksettlementofthepartiesdisputeshasdulysetuptheMultiDoor CourtHouse,whichhas since resumed resolving disputes tobuttress what the conventional courts are doing as regards justicedelivery.

8. COMMENCEMENTOFCIVILACTIONINMAGISTRATECOURT

ThecommencementofCivilactionproceedings in theMagistrateCourt isby filing of the plaint whilst that of High Court is by filing of thewrit ofsummonsororiginatingsummonsorasthecasemaybe,attheHighCourt,thewritofsummonsisfiledalongwiththestatementofclaim.

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ISINCREASINGOFTHEMAGISTRATESJURISDICTIONNECESSARY?

IthinkincreaseofMagistrateCourtjurisdictionmaybeviablewhere:-1. Theworkloadofsomesuperiorcourtsofrecordwithparticularreference

tostateHighCourtisincreasingdaily.2. The fact that judges could be appointed from the roll of the Chief

Magistrate, therefore, apart from the Bar, the Magistrates are alsopotential judges, just like judges of the High Court , Federal High Court,Customary Court of Appeal and National Industrial Court are potentialjusticesof theCourtofAppeal andeven SupremeCourt. Theearlier theMagistratesareexposedto increased jurisdiction,whethersubjectmatterorvaluejurisdictionorparty jurisdictionorotherwise,thebettertheywillturnouttobeasJudgesinthefuture.

3. Mostof themagistrates inourruralareasare lessbusywhilst the litigantfiletheircasesintheHighCourtwithintheirdistrictasthemagistratecourtlacks subject matter and value jurisdiction thereby overloading the HighCourtwithcaseswhilstsomeoftheseMagistratecourtsarelessbusy.

4. Nodoubtwhat aman does presently iswhat builds him up later. This isnatural.Therefore,anincreasedjurisdictionasinareaofsubjectmatterwillenhanceourMagistratesintellect,creativityandskilltherebytherewardoftheirproductivityandadjudicatoryprowesswillbeanimmensebenefittothesociety.

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2. THEMODEOFINSTITUTINGCRIMINALPROCEEDINGS.THEMODEOFINSTITUTINGCRIMINALPROCEEDINGSAtMagistrateCourtisbylayingacomplaintbeforeaMagistratewhetherornotonoath54.WhilstattheHighCourtcriminalproceedingsareinitiatedbyinformationpreferredbythedirectionorwiththeconsentofaJudge55.

In Attorney General V. Isong56, an information containing two counts ofbeinginpossessionoffirearmsandammunitionwaspreferredagainsttheaccusedpersonwithoutfirstobtainingtheconsentoftheHighCourtJudge.TheHighCourtdeclaredtheinformationinvalidanditwasquashed.

In Ikomi V. State57, an information containing a count of murder waspreferred against the accused person after obtaining the consent of theChiefJudge.

The first accused person brought amotion to quash the offence chargedand that the informationwas an abuse of proceedings of the court. TheHighCourtandtheCourtofAppealrejectedtheapplication.

In Bature V. State58, the accused was charged with culpable homicidepunishablewithdeath,onappealagainstconviction,itwascontendedthatthechargeuponwhichtheaccusedwastried,wasfiledwithoutobtainingleave of the Judge as required under section 185 (b) of the CPC. TheSupreme Court held that leave was obtained before the charge waspreferred.

54SeeS.78CPA,SeeS.77(a),SeeS1oftheCPC,DPPV.Aluko(1963)1AllNLR383(Section1CPC),RV.Adamson(1875)1QBD201–Section60(1)CPC,S.175CPC55S.77(b)ofCPA.56(1986)1QLRN7557(1986)5SC313–SeeS.340(2)CPA.58(1993)INWLR(pt.300)p.267

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3. INSTITUTIONOFCRIMINALPROCEEDINGS.

a. OfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralSS. 150 and 195 of the 1999 constitution creates the offices of theFederalAttorneyGeneralandStateAttorneyGeneralrespectively.By virtues of S. 174 (1) and S. 211 (1) both the federal Attorney –GeneralandthestateAttorneyGeneralconstitutecriminalproceedingsin any court established by any law in Nigeria. The Attorney-Generalcannotinstituteaproceedinginmattersoutsidehislegalunit59.

b. PRIVATEPERSONS:Section342ofCPA.Aprivatepersonhasarighttoprosecuteanotherincriminalcases.Eventhoughthereisnostatutoryprovisionstotheeffect,however,followingcase law, itappearshecan,therighttoprosecute isaright inabroadsense60.

c. SPECIALPROSECUTORSSome specific legislation authorize officers other thanpolice officer toinstitutecriminalprosecutioninrespectofoffensecreatedbythem;i. Customoffencesii. RatingAuthoritiesiii. Inspectorsoffactoriesiv. HealthInspectors.

d. SPECIALCOMPLAINANTSUndertheCPC,toprosecuteforadultery,ifagirlunderageisinvolved,the complainant must be the father or guardian, if a wife, then thehusbandmustbecomplainantandnootherperson.

e. POLICE59Seethefollowingcases,QueenV.Owoh(1962)IAllNLR659,LayiwolaV.Queen(1957)4FSC119,StateV.Ilori(1983)2SC155andIbrahimV.TheState(1986)INWLR65060See–GaniV.Akulu(1986)11-12SCN151,A.G.AnambraV.Nwobodo(1992)7NWLR9(pt256)at711

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Thepolice,bystatutehasauthoritytoprosecutecriminalcasesincourt.S.4ofthepoliceact,1990LFNdefinesthegeneraldutiesofthepolice,apartfromthespecialdutiesunderS.23oftheAct61.

4. LIMITATIONOFTIMETOCRIMINALPROSECUTION.

Criminal proceedingsmaybe brought at anytime after the commission ofthe offence. Thus, there is generally no limitation of time to bringingcriminal proceedings, there are however some exception to the generalrule:

a. Seductionis6monthsb. Conspiracy: No limitation to time for conspiracy even when the

substantiveoffenceisstatutebarred.c. Treasonand treasonable felony:Contrary toS.41of criminal code, the

timelimitis2years.d. Customandexcise laws:offencesaretobeinstitutedwithin7yearsof

thecommission.e. Public officers: No limitation of time for bringing action against public

officers.

The Magistrate Courts are courts of summary Jurisdiction from whichappeals lay to the High Court62. The magistrate court has both civil andcriminaljurisdiction.

ThejurisdictionofMagistratesisstrictlylimited63.First,itisusuallydefinedand limited geographically, and although eachmagistrate has jurisdictionthroughoutthestatebywhichheisappointed,heisinpracticeassignedtoa specific Magisterial District64. While stationed in his district he is notexpected to exercise jurisdictionbeyond the limits of that district, except

61SeeOlusegunV.TheCOP(1998)IINWLR9pt.575)atp.54762Dr.Y.A.Fobur,PhDSeniorResearchFellow,NigerianInstituteofAdvancedLegalStudies.InhislegalArticletitled“JurisdictionofMagistrate/DistrictCourtsintheNorthernstatesofNigeriainthebook“JurisprudenceofJurisdiction”Chapter20,PP.481–497particularlyP.484.63Dr.Y.A.Fobur(Supra)P.485.64C.O.Okonkwo(Professor),IntroductiontoNigerianLaw,LondonSeeDr.Y.A.Fobur(Supra)P.485,Seesection8oftheMagistrateCourtLaw,2008.

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when temporarily moved to another district to help in the disposal ofarrearsofcasesaccumulatedthere.

Hemayhoweverbe transferred fromonedistrict toanotherby theChiefJudgeofastate65.

The legalauthorityor jurisdictionofMagistrateCourts incriminalmatterstotryoffencesisasconferreduponthembyeithertheCPAintheSouthernStatesofNigeriaorCPCasregardsthoseintheNorthernStatesofNigeriaoranyotherwrittenenablinglawinthatregard.

CORRUPTIONINTHEJUDICIARY

Wecannottalkaboutavirileandhighstandardmagistracywithout looking intothecurrenttrendofcorruptioninthejudiciarygenerally.

Inrecenttimes,therehavebeenincessantandincreasingcomplaintorallegationsofthecorruptionleveledagainsttheJudiciary.66Theallegationsattainedalarmingcrescendowith references being repeatedlymade to the election tribunals andthecourtofappeal -67. Itevengetstoastagewhenadissentionopinionamongthepanelistconstitutingthetribunalorcourtisregardedasproofofhavingbeenreachedandorcompromised-68.Itwasthatbadandsad.69.

Recently, President BuhariMuhammaduduring his state visit to a foreign land,expressedhisconcernandworryagainst thecorruptpracticesofsomeNigerianJudicial officers. These allegations whether proved or unproved have in factopenedthedoortodragthenameofthejudiciarytothemud.

The role of the Judge/Magistrate: For the purpose of this paper, a judge willincludeamagistrate.The judge istheumpirethatdecidesbetweenthe litigants

65Section23ofCap.33LawsofNorthernNigeria,1963,AlsoSeeDr.Y.A.Fabur(Supra)P.485.66JusticeMassoudAbdulrahmanOredola(JCA)seeapapertitledcorruption,theDwindlingeconomyandthedisappearingfrontiersofthelegalpracticesdeliveredduringthe4thAnnualconferenceofthesectiononlegalPractices(SLP)oftheNBAatCalabar9th–12thNovember2010,P.467Supra68Supra69supra

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andattheendadministersjustice.70Hisroleiscrucialasadecisioncanalterthecourseofpoliticalgovernance,thelifeofamanoracompany.71

ThedutiesofaJudge/Magistrateinclude72:

1. Tohearanddecidemattersassignedtothecourtonthepillarsoffairnessandequality.

2. Befaithfultothelawandmaintainprofessionalcompetenceinit.AJudgeshouldnotbeswayedbypartisaninterest,publicclamororfearofcritism,financialgainsormaterialtemptation.

3. A Judge shouldperform judicial dutieswithoutbiasorprejudice.A Judgeshould not in the performance of judicial duties by words or conductmanifest bias or prejudice, including but not limited to bias or prejudicebasedon race, sex, religion,nationalorigin,disability, age,marital status,sexual orientation or socio-economic status and should not permit staff,courtofficialsandotherssubjecttothejudgesdirectionandcontroltodoso.Whilst answering the question “Is there corruption and high profile lifestyle among someof our judges?” Chief EmekaNgige, SAN, in his papertitled“DueprocessandtheNigerianJudiciary:wheredidwegowrong”73,said: “Theanswertothisquestionwithoutanyequivocationshouldbein

the affirmative. Evidence of corruption abound. At least we havetheexamplesoftwojusticesoftheCourtofAppealbeingdismissedfor corruption over their handling of an election Appeal. The fullreport of the sub-committee set up by the NJC to investigate theallegationagainstsomeJusticesofCourtofAppealarefullysetoutby the editors of Nigerian weekly law Report in the case ofUKachukwuVs.Uba(2005)18NWLR(Pt956)1at3-56.Thedetailsof how the justices were bribed are extensively covered by the

70EtigweUwa,SAN,seehispapertitled“Theligantandthecorruptjudge;whatremedies”presentedatthe201071Supra72supra73ApaperpresentedatthesectiononLegalpracticeforum(Civillitigationcommittee)ofNBAannualBarConferenceholdinginLagosfromAugust17-21,2009

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report. The Justices were later dismissed by the President on therecommendation of NJC.We are also aware of the bribe scandalinvolving members of the Governorship election petition TribunalforAkwa IbomState.TheNJC foundthat themembersheadedbyHon. JusticeMatildaAdamu collected bribe to dismiss an electionpetitionagainstthestateGovernor”

SamsonUwaifo,JSCwascreditedtothefollowingstatementwhichillustratesthegravityofthedangerposedtothesocietybycorruptionwithinthejudiciary

“A corrupt judge ismore harmful to the society than amanwhorunsamokwithadagger inacrowdedstreet.Whilethemanwithdagger can be restrained physically, a corrupt judge deliberatelydestroysthefoundationofsociety74.

There have been serious allegations of corruption against the judiciary,especially the lower courts and the High Courts75 Commenting on theproblems of corruption in the judiciary, A.A Adeyemi condemned theincreasing rate of judicial corruption, which has become a widelyphenomenon76.Corruptioninthejudiciary,reacheditspeakduringthepastmilitary regimes. This prompted Hon. Justice Okay Achike to comment asfollows:

“ThelastMilitaryregime(Babangida’sregime) isthemostcorruptinthecountry.Thejudiciaryhasnotbeenexemptedfromthismoraldecadence. The position of the members of the lower bench hasbeenscandalous”.

TheJudiciaryisattheapexofthelegalprofession.Judicialofficersmustdotheirbest to engender confidence in their performance of this largely essentialfunction77while exercising their discretionary powers, judicial officers should in74QuotedinNigeriaBarJournalofvolume7No.1,August2011bycomfortChinyereAniPhd,P.114,alsoquotedbyB.Akinyemi,StateoftheJudiciaryandLegalSysteminthepunchOct.31,2005,P.63.75B.Akinyemi,StateoftheJudiciaryandlegalsysteminthepunchOct31,201,P.6376Supra77supra

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the interest of justice and the renewed fight against corruption, resist anyapplication that is capable of creating the impression in the estimation of thepublic, that its authority is being used to shield criminality in general andcorruption in particular78. Judicial officers including theMagistrates should alsobearinmindthestatementcreditedtoHon.JusticeNikiTobi,whenhesaid:

“A Judge who takes bribe is not only a criminal who should beprosecuted, he is also a sinner who is for eternal condemnation”The bench is not a place tomakemoney, it is a place tomake aname79

Theerosionofpeople’sconfidenceinthejudiciary’scapacitytogiveimpartialanddispassionatejudgmentswillcentrallyleadtoanarchyandtheobliterationoftheruleof law in the society80. Thebadeggs in the judiciaryhave tobe shown thewayout.Nobody shouldbeabove the lawandanybody foundguiltyof corruptpractices within the legal profession in general, should be tried and theappropriatepunishmentmetedout81

Tomentionbut a few, the following Judges like JusticeEgbo Egbo, and JusticeLamboAkanbi,bothoftheFederalHighCourtandJusticeNnamanioftheEnuguStateHighCourthaveallgoneintooblivionformisconductandcorruption.

AjudgeoftheKanoStateHighCourtwasarraignedin2002beforeaHighCourton a three count charge of demanding and accepting the sumofN100, 000 asgratification in the course of his duties. In August 2005, the Niger Stategovernment suspendeda chiefmagistrate, Saidu Ibrahim for allegedlyextortingN100,000fromaCattleRearer.

CONCLUSION

LafadejuV.JohnsonvalidatedtheprovisionintheLagosStatesection236(3)CPL.

It didnot validate “anassumption” that suchaprovisionexistswhere in fact it

doesnot.Therefore,inanystatewhereaprovisionsimilartothatofLagosState78Supra79TheStatementwasmadebyJusticeNikiTobi,thenaJusticeoftheCourtofAppealinapubliclecturein199780ComfortC.Ani(Supra)81Supra

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doesnotexist,CourtofAppealdecisionslikeOlawoyeV.Cop,whichdeclaredthat

holdingchargeisunknowntoourlawwouldstillbegoodauthority

I humbly suggest that heads of Judiciaries should endeavour to see that onlythoselawyersthathavethequalitiesenumeratedaboveareappointedasJudgesandMagistrates;otherwisewrongonesifletinwilllaterposemoreproblemstothejusticedeliverysystem.

TheMagistrateCourtsaregradedfromtheMagistrateCourtsofvariousgradestoChief Magistrate grade 1, which is the highest of all the magistrate Courtshierarchy. However, the power to hear and determine an offence and, thepunishment tobe imposeddependedon the status and classof theMagistrateCourtasenshrinedbythelawsestablishingthecourtandtheoffence.

TheJudiciaryisattheapexofthelegalprofession.Judicialofficersmustdotheirbesttoengenderconfidenceintheirperformanceofthislargelyessentialfunctionwhileexercisingtheirdiscretionarypowers,judicialofficersshouldintheinterestof justiceandtherenewedfightagainstcorruption,resistanyapplicationthat iscapable of creating the impression in the estimation of the public, that itsauthorityisbeingusedtoshieldcriminalityingeneralandcorruptioninparticular.

As part of solutions,moremodern prisons facilities should be built, other thancontinuedaccommodationoftheprisoninmatesinthecolonialfacilities.Oneofthegoalsofaprisonistoreformtheprisoner.Thegoal isdefeatedifaprisonerreturnstothesocietyasagreatermenace.Thereisthereforeneedformorestaff,moretrainingandbettersalaries.

I support the school of thought that the magistrates should robe just like theSuperiorCourtJudgeswhichwilldulyboosttheirdignityandhonour.

Thanksfortoleratingme.

HON.JUSTICEM.UMUKOROCHIEFJUDGEDELTASTATEAPRIL,2016