The Chief Justice of Nigeria , Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has declared that the Nigerian judiciary at all times be accountable to all Nigerians in administration of justice.
Justice Ariwoola made the declaration at the Opening Ceremony of the
Hybrid National Workshop on Court Services for Filing and Process section of the Courts,Court Registrars,Commissioners of Oath,Court Clerks,Bailiffs and
Process Servers organised anmually hy the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.
He said that the workshop will provide a platform for courtstaff to come together to rub minds and share experiences in the course of leaming new things during the pendency of the National assignment.
“Distinguished purticipants in view of your etormous responsibilities in the
administration of justice,this workshop has been put together to build capacity and
enhance your productivity; bearing in mind that the services you render are of
immense significance to the judiciary and that is why you are more often than not
referred to as the ‘engine room’or the ‘bulwark’ of the judiciary.
“My Lords,Distinguished Participants,Ladies and Gentlemen,the theme for this
Workshop:Achieving Excellence through Efective Service Delivery: is aimed at
expanding the knowledge base of court stalr for the purpose of providing quality
and effective services to court usersas the need for improvement in terms of
transparency,productivity and efficiency in the Judiciary is dynamic,as such,your
efioris in this regard must continue to be work in progress,if e must attain best
global practices.
“As you are all aware, that as officers in charge of the day to day activities in our
courts,your attitude and conduet towards court users must be that of courtesy and
accountability.Therefore, to enhance effective service delivery,court services
must alsd be streamlined through an improved communication technique,
management skills,transparency and accountability.No doubt,these measuresare geared towards ensuring smooth court processes for Judicial Officers,Court staff
and indeed other court users”.
In his welcome address, the administrator of the National Judicial Institute, NJI, Justice Salisu Garba, said that the workshop was organized by the Institute in fulfilment of its statutory mandate of providing Continuing Judicial Education for all categories of Judicial Officers and their Spport Staff as provided in section 3(2)(b)of the National Judicial Institute Act CAP N55,LFN,2004.
“To this end,the theme of this workshop: Achieving Excellence Through Effective Service Delivery is apt and timely,as it is designed to equip participants with current trends in the world of service delivery in addition to expanding their knowledge base for the purpose of providing efficient and quality service delivery to all court users in line with global best practices.No doubt,the demand for excellence through effective service delivery has continue to be on the rise,more-so at this auspicious time in our democratic dispersation when the Judiciary is in the spotlight and expectations are high.It is therefore imperative that we strive to live up to our responsibilities and continue to build public confidence by being effective and efficient in our respective courts”
In his words “I make bold to say that these categories of Court Employees are indispensable in the Administration of Jutice,as they are indeed saddled with the onerous task of the day-to-day activities in the courts,some of which includes the production of Court Records,Orders,Rulings, Judgments and service of Court Processes among others.Consequently,the effective administration of justice cannot be achieved without your input,as your duties strongly and positively impacts the expeditious dispensation of justice”.
He reiterate that as Court Registrars,Commissioners of Oath, Court Clerks,Bailiffs and Process Servers, are a very strong component in the administration of justice in Nigeria.