The Federal High Court of Nigeria 2020/2021 Legal Year Ceremonies kick started on Tuesday, 15th December, 2020 with a mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Maitama, Abuja.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho took the first reading from the book of the Prophet Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13.
In his sermon, the Parish Priest of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Rev. Father Celestine Ejim called on the Judges to be “notoriously” religious as propagated by late Pope John.
“Protect the rule of Law, follow the truth, Let God always speak for you. Follow the truth, Rev Father Ejim charges the Judges.
He called on the Chief Judge to mentor lawyers to value hard work and truth and especially pupils from Primary, secondary and higher institutions.
He called on the Judges and Lawyers to always read the Book of Psalms so as to be guided as Judges in their Judgement.
As he rounded up his sermon, he pleaded with them to uphold the truth always.
In his appreciation message, the Chief Judge, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of Court of Appeal, Attorney General of the Federation, Judges of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Judges of various jurisdictions, Learned Senior Advocates, Learned Counsel and other Guests who joined the celebration of formal Legal Year Divine Worship.
During the special court session to mark the commencement of the Federal High Court Legal Year 2020/2021, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho has said that the 2019/2020 legal year closed with a total 10,464 cases filed, comprising of 2,851 civil cases, 2,599 criminal cases, 3,049 Motions and 1,965 fundamental rights applications.
He said that out of the 10,464 cases filed, a total of 8585 cases were disposed while a total of 123, 513 were pending cases at the end of the legal year.
Justice John Terhemba Tsoho also said that in order to boost the morale of staffers, some staff who have exhibited dedication and hard work will be recognized and appreciated in the course of these ceremonies.
“This is intended to motivate the staff and to get the best results, thereby discouraging indolence and idle talk among staff, Justice John Tsoho said.
He expressed his profound appreciation to the National Judicial Council for providing passionate moral and material support especially towards the implementation of the Judicial Information Technology Policy as the Federal High Court has benefitted from the project by the retrofitting of the Federal High Court No. 1, Abuja (The Chief Judge’s Court) wholly funded by the NJC.
In his remark, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Dayo Akpata, commended the Justice John Terhemba Tsoho for maintaining the record of the Federal High Court and discharging its judicial function.
He said that 26 State has set up their panel of enquiry to look into different cases brought on the personnel of the defunct SARS.
He also said that 31 State out of the 36 State of the federation has domesticated the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Dignitaries at the occasion include Court of Appeal President; President of the Industrial Court; Attorney General of the Federal and Minister of Justice represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; President of the Nigeria Bar Association represented by Yusuf Abdulkadri SAN, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN who represented the Senior Advocate of Nigeria among others.
