The outgoing Justice of Nigeria (NJC), Justice Dahiru Musdapher yesterday lamented over the slow pace of investigation and prosecution of cases in the country in comparison with other foreign countries.
Musdapher cited the recent trial of former Governor James Ibori in the UK and said his investigation alone cost the British taxpayers £14 million (about N3.6billion).He stated this at his Valedictory Court Session organized to mark his retirement from the bench after 33 years career as a judge.
He said such huge expenses to investigate crime might be part of the reasons for the slow pace of investigation and prosecution of such cases in Nigeria.
Besides, he lamented that the number of charges filed by anti corruption agencies make it cumbersome to prosecute.
The former Justice who described himself as fulfilled man, was called to the Nigerian Bar as a lawyer in 1968.
His retirement takes effect from tomorrow when he turns 70 years.
Musdapher was sent off with accolades from senior lawyers in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ocassion, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Joseph Daudu (SAN) called Justice Musdapher’s tenure as “the most vibrant and reform oriented in recent times.”
He said, he rose to the challenges he inherited from Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu by restoring people’s confidence in the judiciary.
“ Happily, his Lordship rose to the challenges, did not hide his head in the sand; he set out at high speed to reform the identified ills.”
Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN) described him as “a patriot, a respecter of seniority, both biological and professional.”
The Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Bello Adoke (SAN) said Musdapher demonstrated a great commitment and zeal to drive the judiciary on the path of Honour within a short period.
Justice Musdapher spent only eight months in office as the CJN.
The event organized at the Supreme Court was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Idris Wada (Kogi), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Ibrahim Shemma (Katsina) and (Nasarawa) and representative of Yobe Governor.
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