Gov. Sani Bello of Niger has said that the nation needs an independent judicial arm of government that is free from the executive arm to enable it discharge it functions diligently.
Bello made this known when he received members of the state chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Minna on Friday.
He said that operating an independent judicial arm of government would make the organ more efficient and free from external interference.
“It is my believe that the judiciary should be independent, so that we can stop interfering with their work so that all we can do is to support them achieve purpose.
“The judiciary and the police are suppose to be key in the society, but now, a lot of people have lost confidence in the police and judiciary because of the manner in which they unnecessarily prolong court cases.
“Let me use Niger as an example, we have had cases of rape, kidnappings, cattle rustling, which we used to get information from communities and which such information led to the arrest of culprit
“But few days later you will find the arrested persons walking confidently on the streets. Now everyone is afraid to provide vital information because they are afraid of getting killed,” he said.
Bello said that the judiciary was an important organ in the society that was saddled with the responsibility of giving justice to the poor and defenseless.
He added that it was very important for Nigerians to support a strong and sustainable judicial system.
Earlier, Malam Mohammed Ndayako, the state NBA Chairman, commended the government in its efforts to rehabilitate and reposition the judiciary in the state.
Ndayako, however, solicited state government’s support to compete the construction of the state’s Bar Centre which had been under construction since 2012. (NAN)