The outgoing Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Henry Olusiyi, has said that there is no alternative to total independence of the judiciary if it must discharge its functions creditably.
In a speech at the valedictory court session held in his honour at the High Court in Lokoja on Monday, Olusiyi also said that the judiciary has the duty of ensuring that every citizen of the country lived a life of dignity and not deprived of “right to life granted to him under the constitution”.
“In a country which professes to follow the Rule of Law and the principle of Separation of Powers, there is no alternative to a total independent judiciary,” Olusiyi said.
“All the three arms of government – The Legislature, Executive and Judiciary – are expected to and must work together to achieve the goals set out in the constitution. There must be harmony between the three arms,” he said.
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“The doctrine of Separation of Powers as enshrined in our Constitution is to ensure checks and balances among the three arms of government. This is to avoid the abuse of power and the risk of one arm wielding absolute power to the detriment of the other arms.
“The rule of law is the fabric that holds society together. Any breach of the rule of law is a potential danger for the sustenance of law and order in the society. Court orders should be respected and complied with as a matter of course,” he said.
Also speaking, Ibrahim Mohammed, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, pointed out that though the tenure of the Chief Judge was short, it was eventful as he was leaving his footsteps in the sand.
Mohammed said during the brief period of six months, the executive arm of government in the state enjoyed a cordial relationship with the judiciary under Justice Olusiyi.
Usman O. Sule, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said posterity would be kind to Olusiyi as a forthright, fearless and independent-minded judge.
Sule said Olusiyi was one man who delivered his judgments without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. He said the jurist had always ensured that parties who appeared before him went home happy with sound result of fair hearing, fair trial and sound judgment.
Speaking on behalf of other branches in state, Sam Owoyomi, chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lokoja branch, said Olusiyi was a child of destiny who has fulfilled his calling.
Owoyomi described the outgoing chief judge as honest, bold, courageous, incorruptible, impartial judge of great character and erudition, even as he urged the authorities to ensure full autonomy was granted to the judiciary.
Pioneer chief judge of the state, Justice Umaru Eri, the Grand Khadi of the state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulkareem Aruwa, and Justice Sunday Otu delivered goodwill messages at the occasion.
Justice Olusiyi, who started his judicial career in 1980, retired Tuesday, January 12, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65 years.
