LMSJI honours Judge, Gadzama, Others
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Law, Media and Social Justice Development Initiative ( LMSJI), penultimate week Wednesday at RockView Hotel, Abuja honoured the Chief Judge of Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq U. Bello as an eminent Jurist, therefore conferring him with the Eminent Jurist Award.
Also honoured was Chief Joseph-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), who was presented with Patron of Media Lawyers in Nigeria Award, while Prof. Paul Oboh Idornigie (SAN) was presented with Patron of Social Justice in Nigeria Award.
Making the presentations, President of (LMSJI) and former Chairman, Lawyers in the Media Forum (LIM), Mr. Charles S. Odenigbo said: “ I want to use this platform to examine the operations of the judiciary in the Federal Capital Territory( FCT) and establish if it can be a the model for other states to emulate. Our special report on the FCT judiciary shows some landmark achievements of the FCT judiciary under the leadership of Justice Ishaq U. Bello
“Justice Bello has activated two judiciary divisions in the FCT. These are the FCT High Court, Gwagwalada and Bwari Judicial divisions. Both of them have Deputy Registrars and administrative staff. It saves the time and energy of litigants as well as those seeking to get affidavits and letters of administration. They do not need to go to Maitama again. That of Karu/Nyanya is coming up, and will save many people the agony of the perennial Mararaba-Nyanya Kugbo traffic snarl.
“Justice Bello has also established new Magistrates Courts in key areas where hitherto none existed. They are at Mpape, Lugbe, Kubwa and Abaji. He championed the advocacy for the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which all the states of the federation now emulate. Also in 2004 he championed the innovations now enjoyed under the Rules of Procedure of the High Court of FCT 2004. This stride conserves time for the judiciary and litigants.
It is to his credit that witnesses are now enjoy pre-counseling before matters. This reduces and possibly eliminates blunders because justice rushed is justice crushed. Ladies and gentlemen, Justice Ishaq Bello also presides over proceedings in his court despite his busy schedules and leadership of the High Court and Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The welfare and capacity building of his workers is also paramount to him. The FCT High Court, under Justice Ishaq Bello, trains its judges both locally and overseas to enhance service delivery. The multiplier effect is the efficiency in the judiciary of the FCT which has made it the epitome of high courts in the federation. He has turned
the FCT judiciary into a world-class working environment with well-motivated staff members” Odenigbo stated
He said: “Chief J-K Gadzama (SAN) has always stood as a pillar behind media lawyers in the country over the years. If not that the incumbent Chairman of LIM calls me ‘the father of modern LIM’, Chief J-K Gadzama would have been conferred with that title. He is indeed a father figure to us, always there to advise, protect and promote the interest of media lawyers in the country. He is always ready and willing to answer us even at the shortest notice, in fact our relationship J-K is like that of father and Children, hence, we appreciate him with this little Award as a symbol of our appreciation for his kindness and promotion of social Justice in the country” Odenigbo said
“Prof. Paul Idornigie (SAN), My teacher at the Law School has carved a niche for himself as a perfect gentleman. An exemplary teacher of law, internationally renowned arbitrator and a builder of human and material resources. A lover and promoter of social justice. We also appreciate him