‘Judicial integrity is my priority’ – New Kogi Chief Judge

For the new Ag Chief Judge of Kogi State, JUSTICE JOSIAH MAJEBI, there are hugely important reforms being carried out under his leadership in the state judiciary as he rolls up his sleeves to dig into his efforts ensuring reforms for the restoration of judicial integrity in the State. He also admits that there is the urgent need for the press to play integral roles in propagating the activities of the courts. He spoke with TheNewsGuru’s YABAGI DANLADI in this interview.

Excerpts:

TNG: Brief Introduction please

MAJEBI: My name is Honourable Justice Josiah Majebi, the just sworn – in acting Chief Judge of Kogi State.

TNG: What is the policy direction of the Kogi State Judiciary under your watch?

Thank you for this question. First, I must thank the Almighty for bringing me thus far and making my attainment of this position a reality. Now, the major objective of this administration is strengthening of judicial integrity. The issue of Judicial integrity is key to the administration of Justice in any society. My hope is we can have a situation where some of the practices where many things go wrong are corrected so that we can begin to have vibrancy again in the state judiciary. We have some of the best judges among High Court Judges in this country. They handle high profile cases with landmark judgements that have been hailed by all stakeholders and parties involved in such cases because of the soundness and balance with which they arrive at their decisions in such cases. If you consider the number of EFCC and ICPC cases over the years, you would understand that our judges are doing exceedingly well in that regard. And there is hardly a Judgment of our High Court judges that have been overturned by the Appeal Court. Also, the homicide cases that have been handled by judges from the state are exemplary with well-considered judgments.
For God’s sakes, even the number of Judges that are invited to participate in the election petition tribunal cases have increased tremendously. This is due to the exemplary performances and brilliance demonstrated by our Judges. We are more than any other states of the federation in number. It may amaze you to know that I have participated in about ten election tribunal cases. I was the chairman in the last two. That was the governorship elections in Kwara and Cross River States. Election tribunal matters have taken me to Dutse, Awka, Umuahia, Ibadan, Calabar, Ilorin, Bayelsa and Lagos. We also have some of our colleagues that have gone to so many places as member and Chairmen of election petition tribunals across the nation.I f you have a honest and sincere Judge, this is a place you would know. Because this is a place you have to do all within your power to resist temptation. In such positions, it is not just the fear of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) that would guide your morals, but the fear of Almighty God not to fall to temptation. And as I speak with you, none of our Judges has been indicted in any way during their assignments as either members or chairmen of Election Petition Tribunals. Not less than eight judges within the state have been invited for the next election petition tribunal assignment in Nigeria. They’ll be going for their swearing in and inauguration very soon before they’ll be posted to various parts of the country for assignment.
Also, when it comes to the issue of dispensation of criminal cases, we are never found wanting. As at today, I am still the judge in charge of anti – corruption cases from the EFCC and the ICPC and for now, none of these corruption fighting agencies can indict us for any reason. The bottom line is, these are the kind of judges we have here. We are not the type that would be found soiling our names for whatever reason and I intend to keep it that way. If you are anywhere and any of our Judges is indicted for any questionable conduct, try dig deeper and you would find out it is false.
Also, to come on board is for judges to be superintending over the affairs of the judiciary so that all communications would be properly scrutinised before they go out. A situation where a director sits down to make an Administrative Order setting aside a judicial order would no longer be accepted. That is also an impediment on the integrity of the judiciary. And Administrative Order canceling out a Judicial Order will no longer be accepted in the Kogi State Judiciary.
There is a Judge taking charge of department and when directors are done with whatever they are doing, they must forward their reports to the judge to put finishing touches on it. Then such decision stand, otherwise, it won’t stand.
On the issue of corruption and transparency, we are taking measures to ensure transparency and accountability tools by setting up an anti – corruption tribunal within the courts to be headed by a judge and we’ll publish two phone numbers with which members of the public can reach us to report Judge, judicial officer or even me (the CJ) can be reported to the disciplinary committee to be established so that such person can be invited and investigations to commence on their activities.
If anyone is found guilty of offenses bothering on corruption and other forms questionable character, they would then be reported to the JSC.
So, we are committed to eradicating corruption. We know the area where everyone can be corrupted but we pray the Almighty helps us to correct these anomalies.
We know where those practices are coming from and we hope to block them so that we can be totally free of the ills of corruption.
On transparency, we will make sure those who are expected to perform any responsibility demonstrate openness so that all concerned would be satisfied with the outcome of their assignments. I know it starts with me.By the grace of God, we want to ensure that Judges and other judicial officers spend the funds released for official assignment as they are supposed to.
I also intend that the Chairman of junior Staff of the State Judiciary becomes a member of management. This is because from the bulk of the staff, the junior ones form the majority and are the ones doing the heavy lifting in terms of physical work. They are the real laborers. They are also the ones that can spend unfounded rumour around the office. So, I want them to have representation so that they have adequate knowledge and easily speak for the system and defend the system where necessary.
The Senior staff form management and they are the ones that can give impress to themselves as they want without the input of the junior Staff. It is my intention that this practice should end.
I want a situation where there would be fairness within the system, justice, equity and transparency. We must accord seniority in whatever we are doing as a professional establishment.
If in promotion there is no consideration for seniority, then it is too bad. I don’t know how it is justifiable that someone called to bar two years ago would become a senior in rank to another person called to bar five years ago. Except in some exceptional circumstances where the issue of State Character is put into place because of our efforts to ensure balance in the state, I want to make that practice ends.
The other exception is ability and character. What you are being considered for, the person may not have the ability or character to handle it.
There are many other things I also want to do, but the involvement of the press is key to ensuring we succeed in all we want to do.

TNG: What informed your decision to form the Kogi State Council of Judges (CJ)?

MAJEBI: Of a truth, the Judges Council is not something I just came up with. It is something that has been in my plans for a long time. I can remember when I was drawing out my CV many years ago. One of the career objectives I included was the issue strengthening Judicial integrity. Judiciary is the last hope of the common man even though some rich and influential people come out to describe the judiciary to be the last hope of every person. Unlike the other arms of government, the standard of integrity expected of the judiciary is much higher. Every other arm – executive and the legislature, are looking on to us. So, that is to tell you that, it is not just integrity that you require, but very high that one must not just lower the bar. It is also not just about ability to deliver judgements, but rudiments of justice which one must know very well and put into practice.
I remember when I was a Judge presiding over lower courts, the lawyers would always stand up and address the court, saying; “My Lord, we are grateful for this well considered judgement. The industry put into it” and then go on to say other legal languages to express their satisfaction with the ruling. I always used to tell them that it is not only about the Industry they mentioned, but that I am a judge that always put everything into consideration before pronouncing judgements on cases. I am not the type of judge that would make judgements that would set communities against each other, set houses ablaze and cause riot and carnage. I always want to see the kind of judgement that would ensure that even the aggrieved appreciate by knowing that it is in accordance with the tenets of fair hearing, and other parameters that satisfy all concerned.
So, these are the core requirements of what we want to see in our courts.
And then when you talk of code of conduct of every judicial officer, including the judges, they should be seen to conduct themselves well because it is an integral part of the judicial integrity we seek to find in our courts. These things would be checked by our administration.
In trying to do this, we have put measures in place and one of it is the Council of Judges (CJ) which we did last week.
Before now, I must confess, every policy of the judiciary had been under the whims and caprices of the Chief Judge and whatever he said was the end. But with the formation of the Council, decisions about the judiciary would be collective; no longer a one-man show. This exists in many states of the federation.
Issue judges’ relationship with litigants must also conform with the standards expected. The same goes for every member of staff of the judiciary. In trying to do this, we have put measures in place and one of it is the Council of Judges (CJ) which we did last week.

TNG: What is your relationship with the press?

MAKEBI: I can remember when many newspapers and other media organizations were effectively covering our activities as Judges. I can also vividly recall when I was in Okene, there were a lot of media attention to cases we handled, but unfortunately, it is no longer the case. We have to get back to that time when the media was interested in what we do and how we decide cases based on merit. I was surprised to have met that that was not happening in the headquarters here in Lokoja when I came. When I was in the High Court in Okene, it was not so. We handled high profile cases and had a lot of media attention. I want that to return so that others can actually see the brilliance with which judges in Kogi State handle cases and serve as reference point for our colleagues across the country and the world at large.
I had to ask the information unit of the court, I was told on some of the challenges and we are working on having them resolved. What I mean here is that I am not seeing or reading stories about the exceptional qualities being displayed by our Judges. I must tell you that what you get here are exceptional judgements by our courts in Kogi State. There are a lot of good judgements that the public should be made aware of, which we are not seeing. Judgements that satisfy every standard required for a court pronouncement to be called good judgement. Our judgements always meet fairness, fair hearing, proper evaluation and other qualities that make judgement to have been seen to satisfy the expectations of both plaintiffs and defendants. You hardly see the Judgement of Kogi State High Court being overturned by the Court of Appeal. My recent judgements that have gone on appeal have all been confirmed and the same goes for my colleagues.
The unfortunate thing is that those judgements are not published. They are not made to see the light of day by being covered by the press. High profile cases and sensitive matters that are being handled here are not being seen and read on the pages of newspapers and that is a major point of concern for me.
Knowing fully that the press has always been my friends, I had had the belief that if God helped me to get to this position (of Chief Judge of Kogi State), I would establish a good rapport with the press and encourage them to give adequate coverage to the state judiciary. I want a situation where information is effectively disseminated to all parts of the state. I want the development in Kogi State Courts to reach people within and outside the state and the country at large. Kogi State judiciary, when it comes to adjudication, dispensation of justice, is head and shoulders above all other states of the federation.
The more sensitive issues and landmark judgements being handed down daily by the High Court in Kogi State are being disseminated to the public, the more other courts from other states would be aware and also wake up to emulate from us. We want to be example to others to copy from.
Going forward, I want to partner the press in the administration of Justice in Kogi State. We should be partners in societal growth and progress.
Our administration is focused and is determined to work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders, including the media.
I am not saying if I commit any wrongs, you should not publish, please do. I just don’t want any public misconception. Ensure you have your facts because the press has the power to set the entire nation on fire. So, let’s be guided. Let’s cooperate in a productive manner, but please, if you hear anything about me that is wrong, do not hesitate to dig deeper before publishing.

TNG: What is your last word in this interview?

MAJEBI: Well, I want the public and the judicial community to work with the current judiciary so that we can achieve our objectives of eradicating corruption and restoring the integrity of this institution. All hands must on deck to ensure we make justice administration what it is supposed to be for all concerned. Thank you.