Niger courts unfit for goats – NBA, JUSUN

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSN) in Niger State have condemned what they called deplorable condition of courts in the state, describing them “unfit for goats”.
Speaking with Daily Trust in Minna, the bodies condemned what they refer to as “criminal neglect” of the courts over the years.
“The state of courts reflects justice in the society; when you have good structure of courts according to conventional standard that means there is significant justice in that society. The state of court in Niger State is an eyesore; the decay has settled in over time because when you go into some courts you will sympathize with the judges who are working under such condition,” NBA chairman, Barrister Umar Adam Aliyu, said.
He said the dignity of court should exude integrity. “It should reflect a system that when you walk in, you know this is a serious environment which can stand up against injustice, to punish offenders and give hope to the hopeless. But in Niger, it is the opposite,” he said.
He said the situation degenerated due to lack of maintenance, as most of the structures which were inherited by the judiciary in the 80s have not undergone renovation since then.
“Most of our courts are in weak state; the structures can hardly stand,” JUSUN chairman, Barrister Mahmud Mohammed Ameen Muye said.
He blamed the problem on lack of financial autonomy for the judiciary.
He said the law was explicit on the matter. “Section 121 gives us the right to our own finances and that is what we fought for in court and won. It is now the duty of the state government to obey that court ruling”.