00:00In my years of political office in government and as well as out of government, more out
00:14of government than in, one thing that I have consistently said and maintain is that while
00:20the rule of law must prevail, the independence of the judiciary must also remain paramount
00:27in upholding the administration of justice without fear or favour.
00:37I need not cite the plethora of judicial precedents and authorities to reiterate my unwavering
00:44support for the imperative of judicial independence which is subsumed under the doctrine of separation
00:52of powers.
00:53These are principles enshrined under the groomed norm or the basic structure of the Federal
01:00Constitution.
01:01However, the lessons of history must not be forgotten.
01:06In the past, we have seen how this sacrosanct principle has been violated by the powers
01:12that be, working hand in glove with the highest judicial office, perverting the course of
01:19justice in order to serve nefarious and vile political ends.
01:25But let me firmly declare that enough is enough.
01:30That era is over and gone and that we will never allow such abuse and violations ever
01:36to happen again.
01:37Ladies and gentlemen, the coming days offer us a timely platform to examine how our legal
01:43frameworks must evolve to address the unprecedented advancements in technology that are influencing
01:51every aspect of our lives.
01:54Judicial and legal reform must be reflected as the nation advances with the changing times
02:01for development and progress.
02:03We should neither be held hostage to the views and demands of the elite nor succumb to the
02:09dictates of pressure groups serving the interests of the rich and powerful.
02:15I strongly believe that our laws must be flexible yet robust, capable of safeguarding individual
02:25rights while promoting creativity and innovation.
02:30Further, there must be a balance between private rights on the one hand and the public and
02:39societal interests on the other.
02:42A legal system that is too rigid or a judgement that is made without due consideration of
02:48public policy.
02:50Repercussions will not only stifle progress but risk eroding public trust and causing injustice.
02:59By way of comparison, in other jurisdictions, such as Sharia law, the doctrine of istihsar
03:10or equity allows for juristic discretion when and if it serves the cause of justice.
03:22In making this call, I do not even for a moment suggest that the law of chaos and assentity
03:29rule the roost rather than striking the right balance.
03:34It is essential to ensuring that our judicial and legal system remains dynamic and robust.
Comments