I was elected chairman of NBA Ungogo Branch Kano on June 13  last year The branch is relatively new. It  was created in 2013 by the then President of the NBA, Chief Okey Wali (SAN).

As chairman of the branch,  what have you done to improve the welfare of lawyers?

Yes, our branch is one of the beneficiaries  of the  appointment of new Justices of the National Industrial Court.  Our immediate past Branch Chairman,  Hon. Salisu Danjidda, is one the appointees. We really thank God for this appointment. The branch has effectively keyed into the plans of the NBA national for the welfare of our members.

The Insurance policy is there, the discounts provided for lawyers through the NBA annuity card and so on we have keyed into them for the benefit of our members

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN)  has approved the appointment of 17 judges of the National Industrial Court. What is your advice for the incoming judges?

My advice  to the new Judges is for  them to see their appointment as  service to the nation and humanity. They should discharge their duties in accordance with the laws of Nigeria  and  the fear of God. Finally I pray for God to assist them in  discharging their duties effectively and efficiently in the interest of the country.

Law and development have always gone together, how do you think  Nigeria can get out of recession through the law?

No doubt, law is a fundamental tool for national and economic development.  That is why law has been described as an instrument of social engineering. We have laws that govern  every aspect of human endeavour  including  the  economy and therefore, if those laws are applied and implemented they will really assist the country toward achieving the desired national Development.

There is no doubt that the laws governing business operations in the country are cumbersome, the process of commercial disputes resolution too slow except arbitration and other alternative disputes resolution mechanisms.

Court processes are not efficient, registration of businesses are clogged here and there by one problem or the other. Some of our laws relating to business operations are outdated and that is why people have consistently called for the review of the Company and Allied Matters Act ( CAMA).

The National Assembly can also make some specific laws to regulate some specific areas of the economy to enhance economic development.

What of recession?

Economic recession is a global issue that equally affect almost  the entire world and not Nigeria alone. Also, since the fall of the crude oil price at the international market,  a lot of global economies have fallen into economic  recession  especially the countries whose  major sources of income is petroleum like Nigeria. Therefore, we most formulate policies that will assist use in that direction.

There have been calls  for the diversification of economy,  to develop other sources of foreign exchange for the country than oil, how do you think we can achieve this through  law?

Yes, as a result of the current situation in the world, I think by now  our  policy makers should focus on diversification of  other areas of the economy such as agriculture and mineral resources. This will make the country not to depend on oil alone as the main stay of her economy. If we can formulate, enact and implement laws that enhance the development of other sectors just like the aforementioned  areas, then, it will enhance the development of other areas of the economy.

How do you feel about the ongoing fight against corruption in the Judiciary?

For me,  the government is not ready to put things right in the judiciary.

The fight against corruption in the judiciary is misdirected, ill timed and unfair to the system.

What do you mean by this?

This is because  judiciary as one of the three arms of the government just like the executive and the legislative arms of government. Therefore, they should enjoy financial independence like the other arms of government  as stipulated by the constitution. This should be the first step toward fighting corruption in the sector.

The budget of the sector should be enhanced, improved and increased well in such a way that the salaries of the judges and other personnel should be improved like that of our legislators. Most of our court infrastructures,  from the Magistrate, Sharia Courts  up to the High Courts of various states of the federation,  are dilapidated and are in need of urgent renovation.

In most of the jurisdictions,  particularly in magistrate court and sharia courts, the Magistrate, Khadis,  judges etc use public transport to their various places of work. How do you fight corruption with these kind of inhuman and degrading  situation. Another problem is the  next is the procedure  the appointment  of the judicial officers, this is equally an area of serious concern. The procedure has been seriously compromised. It is only when these issues are properly taken care of  that  you can  talk about fighting corruption in judiciary.

How  can  we fast-track justice administration and make our courts more efficient in justice delivery?

The only answer to that is that when we implement the financial independence, we provide an enabling environment, good courts with facilities, employment of qualified staff, good salaries and other allowances etc. And above all, most of our Rules of courts should be amended to suit the current situation. All these will help toward good justice delivery in Nigeria.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo issued an executive Order  to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria. What is your reaction to this.

With respect to our regulatory agencies and service providers in the country at was a good welcome development to the country in general. This is because, with simple and easy policies, that will attract foreigners to come and invest in the country.

How do you think it will affect different service providers, especially the power sector?

It will definitely affect every area of our national life. On critical area of power sector, this is very crucial because when you have a good power sector, it will catalyse economic development. So how do you think this will affect the power supply? This policy will not make power available, but  it will also  create  job opportunities and equally attract investment from foreigners. Generally Speaking, on this sector and more specifically from my state Kano State experience,  the current Company Kano Electricity Development Company ( KEDCO)  which is  handling the sector  is  doing its  best. This is because, since the coming of the current Mnagement of the company  came on board, the Electricity Supply in the zone has greatly improved. Before their coming on board,  people in some areas of the zone spent days, some even  weeks and months without electricity supply. But today, in most areas in the zone, people enjoyed up to one week uninterrupted power supply. I think the management of this Company KEDCO deserves  commendation by the Federal Government and if others should emulate them, then soon Nigeria will be a great country.

What is your view about the calls for restructuring?

For me it is the Bad governance that causes the call for restructuring. Since we have constitution which is the supreme law of the country and the leaders will abide by the provisions of the constitution, the rule of law, due process and equity, there will never be any agitation for restructuring.

This applied for those with genuine intention about restructuring.  We equally, have another  categories of people that are calling for restructuring because they are being sponsored by those politicians who lost election in 2015. To this categories their agitation will fail because it is not a genuine agitation.

John Austin Unachukwu
The Nation News