Umahi Seeks Better Welfare for Nigerian Judges, Says Tinubu Inherited N14.4tn Road Contracts

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja 

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has emphasised the critical role of infrastructure development in fast-tracking the dispensation of justice in Nigeria, revealing that on assumption of office, President Bola Tinubu inherited road contracts valued at over N14.4 trillion nationwide.
Umahi spoke during a keynote address at the Court of Appeal’s Annual End of Year Conference themed: “The Importance of Judicial Infrastructure to Adjudication.” According to separate statements signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji and the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the minister reiterated the ministry’s commitment to supporting the effective delivery of justice through the provision of critical road infrastructure.
Umahi stressed that the federal government was already improving access to judicial facilities.
According to him, significant progress had been made in constructing and rehabilitating road networks that connect rural and urban communities, ensuring seamless access to courts for legal practitioners, litigants and the public.
Umahi further listed the modernisation of court infrastructure nationwide.
He disclosed that collaborative efforts with stakeholders was supporting the construction of state-of-the-art court complexes and adoption of digital infrastructure for virtual hearings and e-filing systems.
Mentioning specific projects completed in judicial zones, which he said had greatly enhanced mobility of personnel and materials, as well as boosting judicial efficiency, he emphasised that easy access to courts eliminate delay occasioned by travel difficulties, guaranteeing a faster adjudication process. 
He maintained that improving the welfare and working conditions for judicial officers will add a huge impetus to higher productivity and greater commitment to work and greatly reduce corruption.
“The Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Tinubu inherited a total of 18,932.50 kilometres of ongoing projects with a total of 2,064 subsisting contracts, some of which have lasted for 18 to 20 years, valued at N14,424,982,425,616.40 as of May 29, 2023,” the minister added.
He also acknowledged challenges such as funding constraints and bureaucratic delays, stressing the importance of innovative approaches, and partnerships to overcome them.
Umahi said that the ministry was proactively exploring opportunities for enhanced collaboration with the judiciary and the private sector towards ensuring sustainable infrastructure development.

He praised the resilience of judicial officers in Nigeria and the ‘profoundness’ of their adjudication despite inherent challenges. 

Earlier, in an address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kereke-Ekun harped on the importance of judicial introspection, ethical conduct and leveraging technology for a more efficient and effective system.

She highlighted the need for ‘multi-judge’ deliberations to improve appellate courts’ decisions and stressed the adoption of innovative practices like alternative dispute resolution and improved case management to address judicial backlogs and public trust issues.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Session and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) criticised the societal tendency to blame judges for systemic corruption, while urging the judiciary to defend its independence. 

He called for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to protect judges against unwarranted accusations, advocating for being focused on fairness and integrity in all court rulings.