Lalong promises strong, independent judiary

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday promised to provide adequate support toward a strong, independent and effective judiciary.

Lalong made the promise at the 2015/2016 legal year celebration in Jos.

The governor, who said that the judiciary was very crucial to good governance and democracy, also promised to ensure conducive working conditions to elicit the best service from judicial staff.

According to him, the Judiciary is the fulcrum upon which democracy is driven, hence the need to make it independent.

“We shall do our best, both in the areas of incentives and infrastructure.

“Our commitment as a government that came into office on the mantra of change is to ensure that good governance is driven through respect of the rule of law,’’ he said.

Lalong also expressed the commitment of his administration to enhance the general wellbeing of the citizenry of the state.

The governor, who said that the Judiciary had a crucial role to play in the anti-corruption campaign, advised judges against issuance of frivolous injunctions and the granting of long adjournments.

“On our part as government, we will ensure diligence in the prosecution of cases with public interests, especially those that bother on the recovery of public funds,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Ledak Dafer, Chairman, Plateau branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), thanked the governor for his dedication toward an effective Judiciary.

Dafer appealed to registrars and judges to discharge their duties diligently and without bias.

He further advised members of the public, fond of disparaging judges, when they lost cases, to desist from such comments.

“The best and only legal way to attack any judgment of the court is to go on appeal.’’