FROM the days of yore, the administration of justice at the various hierarchies of the courts in any society places a huge responsibility on persons charged with justice delivery. Essentially, administrators of justice are fit and proper persons with demonstrable track records of accomplishment of wisdom, courage, transparent honesty, hard work, dedication to duty, justice, equity and good conscience. It is in recognition of this time-honoured principle that the President of the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Ngozi Ojugbana-Orishedere recently, while inaugurating new chairmen and members of some Area and District Customary courts in the state, admonished them to see their appointments as a call to duty and service to the society.
We concur with Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere as there could be no better time to drum this into the ears of the appointees than the take- off point. Indeed, such appointment demands sound knowledge of the law, customs of the people, undiluted dedication to duties, good sense of justice, equity, fairness and unquestionable integrity.
Coming at a time when many Area and District Customary courts in the state are battling with lists of adjourned cases due to the absence of constituted panels to hear the matters, there is the inexorable need for the newly constituted panels not only to settle down for duties as soon as possible but to redouble efforts so as to reduce the backlog of the yet -to -be attended matters.
While we are not oblivious of the fact that they need some time for acclimatization to their new roles, it is expedient that the chairmen and members at the earliest possible time, demonstrate visible impact by accelerating the momentum of justice delivery. Added to this, wisdom demands that they should always exhibit zero tolerance for justice delay particularly, frivolous applications for adjournments, non-diligent prosecution of matters by counsel as well as delayed judgments and rulings or incessant cancellations of sittings by court.
Members should demonstrate visible grasp of the customs and traditions of the area or district covered by the customary courts through their inputs to justice delivery. They should bring to bear, courage, illuminating grasp of the laws, customs, diligence and application of the laws geared towards the expansion of the frontiers of jurisprudence, particularly at the Customary Courts level.
For this to be achieved there is need for regular refresher courses and seminars aimed at equipping the officers for optimum performance. The Courts should at all times ensure that justice is manifestly seen to be done, hence the need to avoid descending to the arena. There should be no corruption, favouritism or deliberate miscarriage of justice. The society no doubt, expects much from the chairmen and members with regards to bringing justice, equity and fairness to the grassroots as well as preservation of our customary laws for social control. The appointment should not be seen as an opportunity for customs revisionism, settlement of personal scores or advancement of ethnic rivalry.
It is gratifying that renewal of appointments of the lay members is subject to satisfactory conduct, sound health among others. It, therefore, goes without saying that effective and efficient performance cannot be glossed over if the members are desirous of making a mark.
The chairmen must also be on top of their games to retain their jobs. As we congratulate the chairmen and members, we wish to remind them that the platform remains a unique opportunity for them to print their foot-marks on the sands of time and they should grab it without equivocation.
We believe that serving and sustaining justice without fear, favour or ill will at the grassroots, under our customary courts across the nation, will go a long way in re-invigorating the credibility of our judiciary.
Basically , it is our hope that the coming on board of fresh, highly dedicated, courageous, fit and proper persons as chairmen and members as our Area and District Customary Courts will not only fast track the dispensation of justice but will further enhance efficiency.
