Femi Falana in a communique sent out on Thursday, advocated for election petitions to be handled by retired Judges as serving judges have been overburdened, leaving all matters pending in their courts to carry out national assignments.

The human rights activists pointed out the adjournment of court cases by over 350 Judges of the State High Courts, Federal High Court, and National Industrial Court, for a 'national assignment' which was never within their jurisdiction.

Femi Falana pushed for a review of preference given to election petitions and appeals, and further stated that such cases are not handled by regular courts in neighbouring countries but by constitutional courts.

The statement reads “Over 350 Judges drawn from State High Courts, Federal High Court, and National Industrial Court and handling election petitions have adjourned all matters pending in their courts’ sine die. Their Lordships and Ladyships are said to have left their jurisdictions for “national assignment” in other parts of the country.

“Apart from appeals arising from pre-election cases and election petitions, both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are adjourning all pending appeals till 2020 and 2021. The vacation of the Justices of the Court of Appeal has been cancelled to enable them to handle election-related appeals.

“Since all litigants are equal before the law it is high time the preference given to election petitions and appeals by Nigerian courts was reviewed. In some neighbouring African countries, election petitions are not handled by regular courts but by constitutional courts.

“It is therefore suggested that the Constitution be amended to allow retired judges to handle election petitions and appeals arising from them. If our retired judges can handle arbitral matters and participate in judicial commissions of enquiry they should be saddled with the responsibility to handle election petitions and appeals arising from them.

“The injustice meted out to litigants whose cases are not political by the legal system should stop forthwith in the interest of justice”.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/election-petitions-handled-retired-judges-femi-falana/

If I understand you clearly sir.... What does the word "retirement" mean?

Good point ....for those who are too lazy to read through, he's kicking against pulling judges from their place of primary duty to sit on election cases and also all pending appeals has to be postponed till 2020/2021 to sit on electoral matters first, this should be avoided.

True talk.

The name of Jesus, what a wonderful name it is.. By the mention of the name of Jesus every knee in heaven, on earth and under the earth shall bow

Has a certain sickness been holding on to U? Has delay been holding on to U?
Whatever has been holding on to U or your destiny, today the alpha and omega will set U free in the name of Jesus.

Ok



Very good read, reasonable suggestion also, why should anyone be kept awaiting trial in prison,because of Atiku and his stupid witnesses.wasting our national judicial time

If Justice Oputa could be.constituted to set up a panel , why can't retire judges handle foolish cases of politicians. Why must priority be given to them, why must they waste 180 days in a judicial circle after which the Judges would proceed on another long recess and vacation.

Our lawmakers need to start thinking outside the Box and be innovative, we need Special corruption tribunals also, with special judges, this would fast track corruption cases, with culprits always delaying with sickness and request to travel abroad for treatment, while 70% of people in jail are awaiting trail or a chance to see a.judge

.

dorothybella:
Femi Falana in a communique sent out on Thursday, advocated for election petitions to be handled by retired Judges as serving judges have been overburdened, leaving all matters pending in their courts to carry out national assignments.

The human rights activists pointed out the adjournment of court cases by over 350 Judges of the State High Courts, Federal High Court, and National Industrial Court, for a 'national assignment' which was never within their jurisdiction.

Femi Falana pushed for a review of preference given to election petitions and appeals, and further stated that such cases are not handled by regular courts in neighbouring countries but by constitutional courts.

The statement reads “Over 350 Judges drawn from State High Courts, Federal High Court, and National Industrial Court and handling election petitions have adjourned all matters pending in their courts’ sine die. Their Lordships and Ladyships are said to have left their jurisdictions for “national assignment” in other parts of the country.

“Apart from appeals arising from pre-election cases and election petitions, both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are adjourning all pending appeals till 2020 and 2021. The vacation of the Justices of the Court of Appeal has been cancelled to enable them to handle election-related appeals.

“Since all litigants are equal before the law it is high time the preference given to election petitions and appeals by Nigerian courts was reviewed. In some neighbouring African countries, election petitions are not handled by regular courts but by constitutional courts.

“It is therefore suggested that the Constitution be amended to allow retired judges to handle election petitions and appeals arising from them. If our retired judges can handle arbitral matters and participate in judicial commissions of enquiry they should be saddled with the responsibility to handle election petitions and appeals arising from them.

“The injustice meted out to litigants whose cases are not political by the legal system should stop forthwith in the interest of justice”.




Read more here https://thickmatch.com/election-petitions-handled-retired-judges-femi-falana/

. With due respect I disagree with you sir. Retired judges have nothing to lose again.They will turn judgement to bazaar purchase.

It seems this man is hopelessly confused.

You called them retired and still want them to participate in sensitive cases.

Is it Constitutional?

Sine Die... I have learnt something new. In our next neighborhood meeting, I will adjourn the meeting sine die

Brilliant man.Makes a lot of sense.

JubrinElSudan:
Sine Die... I have learnt something new. In our next neighborhood meeting, I will adjourn the meeting sine die

The entire judiciary should be emancipated from the grips of the executive

JubrinElSudan:
Sine Die... I have learnt something new. In our next neighborhood meeting, I will adjourn the meeting sine die

For our next village meeting, dem go hear am

ejimatic:
. With due respect I disagree with you sir. Retired judges have nothing to lose again.They will turn judgement to bazaar purchase.

The right of appeal takes care of that concern

This country seems hopeless. Imagine the petitioner asking the tribunal for vote recount to determine the actual winner and the judges are saying no to him because the 180 days given for the determination is too Short.
To me that is the simplest request a person who lost election can make and the court should graciously grant it.

They will still bribe them ...nobi 9ja

Welrez:
The right of appeal takes care of that concern

who will be the judges in charge too?Retired ones? It will be worse than the tribunal judgement.

Good idea

Who are more prone to be financially induced or politically influenced by corrupt politicians?
1. Serving judges who have their careers to protect.
2. Retired judges who have nothing to lose.

The answer will help us a lot.

I doubt if there will be any difference to what it's unfolding presently.
Anyway, my opinion though.

It'll make no difference. Arguably, 70% of our present and retired judges have collected bribes ( I mean millions of of dollars, especially in election cases) at one point in their life. It'll even make it easier for the corrupt retired judges to come and make at one sitting what they never have made during their active service.

sureheaven:
It seems this man is hopelessly confused.

You called them retired and still want them to participate in sensitive cases.

Is it Constitutional?

The fact that someone retired does not mean e can’t be useful to the country. Retirees are used in some various capacities in other countries.

Some retired judges would see this as an avenue to re-enrich themselves and form political alliances with the new generation of politicians,to favour their offsprings.

He may have a point though. The Osun case could have been avoided as such

sureheaven:
It seems this man is hopelessly confused.

You called them retired and still want them to participate in sensitive cases.

Is it Constitutional?

The president has the power to recall them to service for a period of time.

Falana is making sense for the first time.

Useless proposal. Instead let him motivate ConCourt like SA

Good suggestion!

The likes of Salami ehh. Judges, police, etc who no corrupt?