Retired Justice Amina Adamu Augie of the Supreme Court, on Thursday has called on the 10th National Assembly to as a matter of urgency, amend the Constitution to enhance the functioning of Nigerian Courts.
Justice Augie said that the Senator Godswill Akpabio-led Senate should undertake the necessary constitutional amendments to free the courts and Justices from constraints to enable them fulfil their mandate of upholding the rule of law.
Amina, who had her final bow on Thursday, made the appeal in her speech at a valedictory court session held at the Supreme Court in her honour, having
retired officially from the apex court bench on September 3, 2023, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.
“This marks the final instance where my voice will be heard in any Court, and I wish to use this opportunity to directly address the 10th National Assembly, through the Distinguished Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who was once my student at the Law School.
“I had the privilege of teaching him evidence, and I trust that he learned it well.
“Hence, it should be evident to him that swift action is needed from the 10th National Assembly to accomplish what others could not amending the Constitution to enhance the functioning of our Courts in Nigeria.
“It is said that a teacher’s reward is in Heaven, I cannot wait to reach Heaven to receive my reward for teaching him because it is my sincere wish that the Justices coming behind me do not go through what those before them went through.
“Thus, I implore the National Assembly to undertake the necessary constitutional amendments.
“By doing so, this Court and its Justices can be freed from the constraints that impede their ability to fulfill their mandate of upholding the rule of law, justice, and democracy.
“Would I be envious when the existing situation is rectified? Absolutely not. Some individuals are pioneers with the strength, zeal, and passion to blaze new trails and guide those who may lack the inclination or strength to do so”. Justice Augie stated.
Justice Amina Augie was sworn in as Justice of Supreme Court on 7th November, 2016.
She graduated with a Second-Class Upper Division in Law from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1977 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978.
