- Justice Binta Zubairu, a Court of Appeal Justice, refuted the notion that judges are responsible for delays in the administration of justice
- She emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including the police, prosecution, and lawyers, for a speedy justice system
Hajiya Binta Zubairu, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, has stated that judges are not the cause of delays in the administration of justice, as some Nigerians mistakenly believe.
Zubairu stated this on the sidelines of a reception held in her honour yesterday in Zaria to commemorate her recent appointment as a Justice of the Court.
The public wrongly accuses judges of delaying the administration of justice, she claims.
Judges work as a team with the prosecution, lawyers and others. Speedy dispensation of justice requires the prompt efforts of the police, prosecution, assembling of exhibits by lawyers and presenting them correctly before the judges in court in accordance with the laws.
Most times the judges or magistrates are ready to adjudicate but the prosecution would not be ready or the lawyers will come with one excuse or the other.
These are facts that are glaring in Courts but because we the judges can’t voice out their frustration, all the blames are shifted and heaped on us, she said.
She claims that in most cases, the police take longer than usual to complete their investigation.
Zubairu praised the Zazzau Emirate for recognizing and celebrating her promotion and appointment.
Her elevation to the court of appeals, she claims, is for the benefit of the entire Zazzau Emirate and humanity.
She thanked the Almighty God for elevating her to the rank of Justice of the Court of Appeal, making her the first female in the Zazzau Emirate.
As a child, it was not my wish to be a magistrate or a judge. I wanted to be a principal of a school.
I wanted to be a principal because as a kid I desired to see that all children go to school to be educated.
I have not in my wildest imagination, thought I will be a judge but destiny took me to the judiciary, she said.
Earlier, Malam Ahmad Bamalli, the emir of Zazzau, stated, “The emirate was proud of Justice Zubairu as the first female from the emirate to attain that height in the judiciary.”
The emir urged the celebrant to be a good ambassador for the emirate by being honest and professional in her endeavours.
In addition, Justice Ishaq Bello, former FCT Chief Judge and chairman of the Presidential Task Force Committee on Prison Decongestion, urged young judges to instil a culture of hard work and dedication in order to excel.
While congratulating Justice Zubairu, Bello advised her to adhere to professional ethics in order to provide effective service.
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