The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Anambra State has raised concerns over the drastic shortage of judges and magistrates affecting the state's judiciary system.
Stanley Mbanaso, the Executive Secretary and Permanent Secretary of the JSC, made this announcement at a news conference held in Awka on Thursday.
Mbanaso characterized the current workforce as significantly deficient, stating that this scarcity is hampering the prompt administration of justice in the region.
He revealed that Anambra is currently served by approximately 64 magistrates across its 35 magisterial districts. Additionally, the number of High Court judges has dwindled from about 40 to just 29.
According to him, Anambra ranks second only to Lagos State in terms of unresolved High Court cases, despite Lagos benefitting from almost 50 judges compared to Anambra's 29.
Mbanaso expressed optimism that once essential facilities are established, Governor Chukwuma Soludo would endorse the appointment of more High Court judges.
"This measure will not only alleviate the congestion in our courts but also accelerate the delivery of justice," he stated.
He emphasized the critical importance of increasing the number of magistrates to improve grassroots access to justice.
Furthermore, Mbanaso disclosed that the JSC had enacted strict disciplinary actions against two magistrates and 24 judicial staff members due to various misconduct allegations. He underscored that these measures are part of ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering discipline, integrity, and impartiality within the judiciary.
The Executive Secretary urged the public to report instances of corruption and misconduct against judicial officers, encouraging citizens to file petitions with credible evidence.
However, he cautioned against making frivolous or unfounded accusations against members of the judiciary.
He assured that the commission has taken a firm stance against corruption by retiring, dismissing, or suspending magistrates and other judicial personnel who fail to meet the standards of conduct.
Mbanaso noted that there's an ongoing process with a dedicated three-member Investigation and Disciplinary Committee in place to address allegations against judicial officers. He mentioned that the State JSC manages complaints against magistrates and customary court officials, while allegations involving High Court judges are submitted to the National Judicial Council for further action.
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