ABUJA – The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, has lauded the leadership of the police in Abuja for setting up a task force that will enforce court orders.
Justice Bello disclosed that the task force will improve justice delivery in the territory.
Bello said this while receiving a team from a nongovernmental organization, Partners and Partners West Africa-Nigeria: Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, who paid him an advocacy visit on Monday.
The Chief Judge said that that the FCT Police Command has set up an enforcement unit which headship is well informed and stationed at the High Court. He said the court during enforcement of judgments and orders will no longer experience the absence of the police as poor enforcement of judgments and orders was one area the court gets condemnation from the public.
“The staff of the courts that goes out to enforce justice will equally enjoy the protection of the police,” Justice Ishaq Bello told the visitors, which comprised all the Chairpersons of the Nigerian Bar Association branches in the FCT.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of Partners West Africa-Nigeria: Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative (PWAN-RoLE Initiative), Ms. Kemi Okenyodo, said the visit was intended “to garner support for deep rooted judicial reforms which will range from the quality of legal education to the quality of legal practice.” The visit was part of a project of social accountability of judicial officers, which, she said, is a first of its kind in the nation.
Okenyodo commended the FCT Chief Judge for his exemplary leadership style and innovation since he took over the administration of the judiciary in the FCT among which she said was minimal bottlenecks, and measures in ensuring that the courts do not contribute to the numbers of persons awaiting trial within its jurisdiction.
On her part, the Director, International Narcotic and Law Enforcement Affairs, United States Embassy, Nigeria, Mrs. Rosalyn Wiese, expressed how excited the US is about the opportunity to work with the High Court on the judiciary monitoring programme. She expressed hope that the advocacy visit will mark the beginning of productivity and mutually beneficial partnership between the US, Nigerian civil society and Nigerian justice sector.
