Lawyer urges improved welfare, technology for Nigerian judges

Lawyer urges improved welfare, technology for Nigerian judges

Omojola Teminioluwa

A former Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ijebu Ode Branch, Moruff O. Balogun, has called on governments at both the federal and state levels to improve the welfare, working conditions and technological support available to judicial officers in the country.

Balogun, who made the call in a recent advocacy article, stressed that the physical and mental wellbeing of judges was critical to the effective administration of justice, noting that “sound health is needed to deliver sound judgment.”

He urged the government, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the NBA and the Judiciary itself to take deliberate steps towards ensuring that judicial officers enjoy better working conditions and adequate opportunities for rest, healthcare and personal renewal.

He noted that judges perform highly demanding duties, including sitting for long hours, listening to arguments, reading voluminous court processes, conducting trials, undertaking legal research and preparing rulings and judgments.

The legal practitioner said these responsibilities imposed significant physical and mental demands on judicial officers and should therefore be matched with appropriate welfare provisions.

Balogun observed that Section 17(3)(b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution recognises the importance of just and humane working conditions as well as the safeguarding of the health, safety and welfare of persons in employment.

He also noted that the NJC Code of Conduct requires judicial officers to devote adequate time to their duties and to be punctual and expeditious in the determination of cases.

He, however, questioned how maximum output could continually be demanded from judges without corresponding attention to their wellbeing.

Balogun therefore appealed to the Federal and State Governments, through the appropriate authorities, to review the salaries, allowances and general conditions of service of judicial officers.

He said a judge who is regarded as the “last hope of the common man” should not personally be subjected to avoidable financial pressure.

“This appeal is not merely about money. It is about dignity, efficiency, health and longevity,” he stated.

The lawyer also advocated wider deployment of modern judicial technology, particularly in the lower courts, saying digital tools could significantly reduce the workload and stress associated with court proceedings.

He listed electronic recording and transcription, reliable computers, digital legal research facilities, efficient internet connectivity, adequate power supply and competent support staff among the technologies and resources that should be made available to judicial officers.

Balogun specifically commended Lagos State for its strides in the use of technology in the Judiciary, noting that, from his observation, many judges in the state no longer have to undertake the laborious task of recording proceedings by longhand.

He added that some courts in Ogun State were also moving in the same direction, while citing  the court of Justice Catherine Ogunsanya at the Ijebu-Ode Division of the Ogun State High Court as an example.

He noted that proceedings there are electronically recorded, thereby reducing the stress associated with manual recording.

“These are not luxuries. They are necessities,” he declared.

Balogun further called for the provision of comfortable and ergonomic courtrooms, adequate judicial assistants and support staff, proper accommodation, safe transportation where necessary, regular medical screening and accessible healthcare for judges.

He also urged judicial officers to take their vacations seriously, get adequate rest, exercise regularly, eat properly and make time for their families, recreation and spiritual renewal.

He stressed that reasonable workloads and adequate staffing were equally important to ensuring judicial health and longevity.

The former NBA branch vice chairman said responsibility for judicial welfare should not, however, be left entirely to government.

He urged the NBA, both at the national and branch levels, to make the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers part of its advocacy for an effective, independent and credible justice system.

He explained that the NBA’s constitutional objectives include the maintenance and defence of the integrity and independence of the Bar and Judiciary, while branch bye-laws similarly recognise the importance of maintaining the honour and independence of the Judiciary and improving the administration of justice.

“The Bar must therefore see the welfare and working conditions of Judicial Officers as part of the larger struggle for an effective, independent and credible justice system,” he said.

Balogun called for a sustained Bar-Bench conversation on improved remuneration, court infrastructure, technology, staffing and judicial welfare.

He also clarified that defending the Judiciary should not be interpreted as defending every action of individual judicial officers.

“Defending the Judiciary does not mean defending every act of a Judicial Officer. It means defending an institution that is indispensable to democracy and the rule of law, while constructively advocating reforms that enable it to function better,” he said.

He appealed to judicial officers themselves to prioritise their health while carrying out their demanding responsibilities.

“My noble Lords, while you labour to preserve the sanctity of justice, please remember to preserve yourselves too.

“Take adequate rest. Eat properly. Exercise. Attend to routine medical examinations. Take your vacations seriously. Make time for family, recreation and spiritual renewal.”

Balogun maintained that a healthy Judiciary was essential to the delivery of timely, intelligent, patient and well-reasoned justice.

“A healthy Judex is better positioned to deliver sound judgment,” he concluded.