By Ebere Agozie
Mr Afam Okeke, former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja (Unity Bar) has urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the values of justice, freedom, accountability, and the rule of law which remain the foundation of every thriving democracy.
Okeke made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
He noted that the day should remind Nigerians of the sacrifices made for democratic governance and the collective responsibility we all share in building a more peaceful, united, and prosperous Nigeria.
He also urged judicial officers to embrace emerging trends in criminal justice.
“There is a great need for judicial officers to strive and remain current with new developments in the practice of criminal prosecution, paying particular attention to technological and scientific trends.
“Today, trials in our courts are vastly different from what they were twenty, ten, and even five years before and have therefore become more intriguing, and so desirous of greater care and awareness.
“It is also necessary to bear in mind that the complexion of trials has almost completely altered with the now preponderant availability of electronically generated evidence available. These must be factored into the bigger picture in the course of the trial.’’
Okeke added that judicial officers must acquire sufficient knowledge to properly assess scientific and electronic evidence while safeguarding constitutional rights and fair trial guarantees.
He cautioned fellow judicial officers against relying unquestioningly on expert evidence, saying some reports presented in court may be inaccurate and reminded them of their role as the ultimate guardians against injustice.
“We are the final safeguard against injustice, turning constitutional promises into reality.
“Therefore, we must uphold high standards of fairness, human rights, and constitutionalism, especially for vulnerable groups.
“Administrative shortcomings such as late court sessions, disrespectful conduct, wrongful remand, and delays in processing case files also often result in human rights violations.’’
Okeke also called for the application of human rights principles in daily judicial work.
This, he said, will boost public confidence, promote constitutional governance, and help judicial officers fulfill their oath of delivering justice impartially.
“May we never relent in promoting good governance, protecting democratic institutions, and advancing the cause of justice for all,’’ he added.
