- The chief justice of the federation, Walter S. N. Onnoghen said a democratic government must obey the rule of law
- Onnoghen said the rule of law is a panacea for peace, security and good governance
- He is optimistic that the problem of insecurity, killings will become a thing of the past
The chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Walter S. N. Onnoghen has called on the governments at all level learn to obey court orders and rule of law so as to avoid anarchy.
Daily Trust reports that Onnoghen gave the warning as the guest lecturer at the first University of Lagos (UNILAG) Faculty of Law public lecture at the varsity’s main campus, Akoka, Lagos.
The CJN spoke in a 17-page speech titled: “The rule of law as panacea for peace, security and good governance. Any government that is against the enthronement of the rule of law is by implication inviting anarchy into the system. A democratic government must not only obey the law but also courts’ orders.
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“I have said it before and I am saying it again that if given four years of adherence to the rule of law, Nigeria can change. The problem of insecurity, killings, among others will become a thing of the past.
“But rather than confronting our fears which is how to satisfy the minority groups, we keep creating states and local governments yet the fear remains.
“But if the rule of law is to be put in place, the minority groups will know that even if they are to be violated, they can go to court and get justice.”
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The pro-chancellor and chairman, UNILAG governing council, Wale Babalakin, SAN said political office holders must learn to respect the rule of law whether in the ruling or opposition party.
He said: “Some politicians while in opposition, they will emphasize the rule of law but they will capitulate when they get there.”
Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that Onnoghen urged prosecutors to prove their cases beyond a reasonable doubt because the court is not a Father Christmas.
Onnoghen made the statement on Monday, May 7, at a workshop for investigators and prosecutors at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
He said: “I must emphasise that in all criminal trials, the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and this burden is discharged by the prosecution calling witnesses to give compelling evidence against the defendant with relevant exhibits to lend credence to oral evidence as the court is not Father Christmas that will give what you did not ask of it.”
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Source: Naija.ng