Loss of confidence in justice system recipe for anarchy, says FHC CJ

John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, says the loss of confidence in the justice system is a recipe for anarchy.

Tsoho spoke on Thursday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital, while delivering a keynote address at the 2023 sensitisation seminar for federal high court judges

The seminar was organised by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

The chief judge noted excessive delay of cases as one of the greatest challenges of the justice system, adding that this erodes the public’s confidence in the system.

He advised judges to avoid delay in the dispensation of justice.

“It is significant to emphasise that when a bank fails, it takes a large part of the economy with it,” Tsoho said.

“The collapse of an institution could cause money supply to drop, leading to a rise in unemployment.

“Loss of confidence in the justice sector is a recipe for anarchy.

“Strengthening depositors’ confidence in banks and other financial institutions through the speedy dispensation of justice remains a vital part of ensuring financial stability.

“Inordinate delays culminating in a backlog of cases constitute the greatest challenge before the courts and this easily erodes public confidence in the judiciary.

“Judges must seriously guard against available delays in the dispensation of justice.”