The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad on Thursday, laid the foundation blocks for the construction of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Bauchi Judicial Division.
The CJN, while laying the foundation, said that when completed, it would no longer be necessary for lawyers and litigants to travel long distances in order to prosecute their cases.
“It is for this reason that I am ready to intensify my efforts in supporting our Courts to ensure serious improvement of the working conditions of Judges and members of staff of our various Courts.
“Once this is done, it will add impetus to our efforts geared at ensuring that employment, labour and industrial relations and workplace related disputes are resolved quickly and without hurting existing working relationships.
This will no doubt enhance the conduct of businesses as there is now a brighter prospect that aggrieved persons can approach this Court to have their cases adjudicated in the most efficient and cost saving manner,”he said.
According to him, when the Bauchi Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria finally takes off, it would contribute in no small measure to the sustenance of virile, friendly and congenial industrial environment in the State.
Muhammad added that the Division would be of immense and invaluable benefit to employers and employees alike.
He stressed that numerous problems associated with the risks, stress, inconveniences, costs litigants and their counsel had been going through in order to have their matters adjudicated in Gombe, Yola or Kano Judicial Division which were the closest to Bauchi State, would become a thing of the past.
The CJN commended Gov. Bala Mohammed for not only donating the land to build the court, but for according the enabling environment for the project.
Earlier, the governor said the NICN is empowered to promote industrial harmony, regulate the relationships between employers and their employees, adjudicate on trade disputes and labour practices to the exclusion of any other Court in Nigeria.
Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Baba Tela, the governor said that although the Court had been in existence in the State for quite a while, it had been operating in rented quarters.
“I must commend the Chief Justice of Nigeria and President of the National Industrial Court for deeming it fit to construct a permanent structure for this division.
“Bauchi State can now proudly say that it has a division of the National Industrial Court and the state government is also willing to give more assistance and support whenever the need arises.
“I want to assure your Lordship that the executive arm would continue to give the necessary support and cooperation to the judiciary for speedy dispensation of justice,”the governor said. (NAN)
