The role of the Judiciary in Nigeria from 1999 until date

The role of the Judiciary in Nigeria from 1999 until date, The judiciary is the foundation upon which democracy grows and develops.
In very simple terms, the judiciary is usually described as the arm of government responsible for interpreting the law.

This is so because the judiciary is the only organ that deals with the administration and dispensation of justice in a democratic nation like Nigeria. The judiciary organ of government plays a key role in serving as the last hope of a common man in the society.

The Judiciary, being the watchdog of people’s rights and liberty, the faith of the people in our judicial system must remain unshaken.


Therefore, the Judiciary cannot afford to make a slip where the liberty of the subject is at stake.
Because there is that strong belief that the Nigeria Judiciary will curb the excesses of the other two arms of Government.

Judiciary should not allow the people’s trust to be misplaced. Once a Nation has an independent Judiciary, there is the hope they will correct that.

The Judiciary is the third arm of Government. They have tested it with the responsibility of interpreting and applying the laws to all cases and settling disputes in the court of law by virtue of Section 6 (1).

The 1999 constitution of Nigeria which is the constitution in practice provides for the establishment of the various arms of the judiciary with their stated roles in all respect (section 203–296).

In, any democratic setting or system, they always show the judiciary in the courts and this is not different in Nigeria. Among, the role of the judiciary is to give Justice to the people once the people seek its intervention.

The judiciary will always award punishment to those who deserve after they have tried them and found guilty to have violated the laws of the state or infringed on the rights of the members of the public.

As a last resort to a common man, members of the public who are aggrieved can always go to the courts and seek redress and compensation.

This happens, however, when there is fear of someone trying to harm them or infringe on their rights or in the other situation when they have considered themselves of suffering any loss caused by someone or an institution.

 

The Judiciary determines the quantity and quality of punishment for those who violate the law and decides cases that have to do with granting of compensations to the members of the public.

Another role the judiciary plays is the interpretation and the application of laws to all cases.
We know that the judiciary disputes and decide on cases brought before it.

In doing this, they can say the judges to have interpreted and applied the law.

The judges do this aspect of the judiciary function, and what the Judges called law or what Judges interpreted is what that stands as law.

The implicit confidence of Nigerians in the Judiciary must not be misplaced.


It is worthy of note that the Judiciary is still battling with the Executives and other agencies of Government about the disobedience of the Orders of Court.

A flagrant disobedience of the Order of court is giving cause for concern. In the words of Hon. Justice Jide Olatawura (a retired Supreme Court Justice) The Judiciary must avoid a situation where it is being treated as a branch of the Executive.

No arm of Government should be a stumbling block in the execution of the power provided in the Constitution for to do so is to sacrifice the interest of the entire country.

In a paper presented by Imo State Judiciary in 1978 during the All Nigeria Judges Conference, the paper highlighted that It would be a calamity to have a Judiciary subservient to Executive or Political pressures and influences, a judiciary that yields and defers to the sirens of power or that accommodates the demands of the rich and the privileged.

The Rule of Law presupposes an independent, honest, courageous and competent Bench and an able, fearless and responsible bar.

Importance can determine the stability and, in fact, the measure of a democratic constitution (how democratic it is) it attaches to its Judiciary and the powers it gives to its Judiciary.
They consider the Judiciary as the most vital organ of government.

This is because the judiciary acts as the people's’ protector against all forms of excesses of the Legislative arm of government and that of the Executive organs.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this work has tried to highlight the role of the judiciary and the difficulties it has faced with maintaining its independence from the Executive or Political pressures and influences and it's unflinching resolute to remain neutral and impartial, above all odds.

They, therefore, submit it that a nation can only witness a strengthened Judiciary in a democratic regime, as against other regimes.