TITLE OF THE ARTICLE: Judicialism in Nigeria; Gasping for Breath under our Watch
AUTHOR:
Peter O. Afeen, Honourable Judge, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
ABSTRACT:
Judicialism underscores the attitude and actions of the courts in ensuring that litigants who have come before it get justice, the discharge of which both judges and lawyers play huge roles. These attitude and actions determine how litigants look on the courts. This paper examines the position and role of judges as well as lawyers in the business of adjudication. It highlights the challenges of the judiciary in living up to expectations. It finds that despite the exalted position of judges, the society appears to have lost hope in the courts as citizens now resort to other means of settling their disputes such as by petitions to law enforcement agencies. The paper recommends that judges and lawyers must reshape their attitude and actions to appeal to the eyes of the citizens so as not to completely lose societal relevance.