From GODWIN TSA ABUJA
Friday, April 28, 2006

The Vice President, who spoke on Thursday at a public presentation of the book, “Judicial Integrity, Independence and Reforms: Essays in Honour of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Muhammadu Uwais,” stated that although the current political situation in the country shows that the struggle for democracy and freedom is a long and tortuous one, Nigerians should exhibit courage to safeguard their hard earned democracy.

His words, “this is not a time for neutrality or sitting on the fence. You either believe that democracy and the rule of law are good and must be secured or you do not. I remember the immortal words of Frantz Fanon that every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor. The price for standing up for the truth and justice may be stiff, but we cannot really call ourselves leaders and civilized citizens if we do not have the courage to uphold the truth and struggle for what is right. If we allow fear to paralyze us then we are running away from democracy and freedom. This is not a good option.

“As our current political situation shows, the struggle for democracy and freedom is a long and tortuous one. Those committed to that struggle must prepare for the long haul. And they will continue to require a courageous, independent and impartial judiciary in that struggle. The law remains the last hope of the common person in a civilized community.

Where the law fails or those who wield power disregard the law, people tend to take laws into their hands and anarchy tends to reign. We must collectively struggle to prevent that fate from befalling our country. We are too important a people and too important a country to Africa and the world to let that happen. Posterity will never forgive us if we do.

“As everyone here knows, our country is, to say the least, going through difficult political times. This is largely because of the inability of some of us to appreciate that every modern society, especially complex ones, such as ours, have to be rule- driven if they are to survive and thrive. Our recent history has been one characterized by brutal military dictatorship, one-man rule and attempts to subvert the will of the people in order to perpetuate dictatorship. Our people collectively fought those attempts successfully, althogh many paid very dearly for it.”

Atiku, who commended Justice Uwais for his humility, civility, sincerity and forthrightness, expressed the need for a strong and independent judiciary for the struggle to build an enduring democracy secured by virile institutions and the rule of law.

Earlier in his remaks on the occassion, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Lawal Gummi explained that the book is a product of the Body of Heads of Court in Nigeria in recognition of the contributions made by Justice Uwais in the development of the nation’s judiciary. While pouring encomiums on the CJN, Justice Gummi said he commands even greater respect for his exemplary leadership and immense reforms in the judiciary.

In his speech at the well attended event, Justice Uwais, who described the book as a judgment on his person, commended the authors for the great honour done him.

The 26 chapters publication, written by chief judges of the various states and federal jurisdiction covering a diverse range of current issues, include essay on the anti- corruption campaign, alternative dispute resolution, admiralty jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, the international criminal court and the National Judicial Council, among others.

Prominent personalities, including state governors and legal luminaries graced the event which was held at the Shehu Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja.