Retiring Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Sotonye Denton-West has emphasized that the judiciary should revert to the hallowed traditions of integrity, fairness and steadfast diligence that was the stock in trade of the legal profession.
Justice Sotonye Denton-West, who, in her valedictory speech, admitted she had been a victim of judicial corruption, described as unfortunate, the news making the rounds about the nation’s justice system.
Stressing the need to uphold to the tenets of justice and fair play, she charged judicial officers to always dispense justice to all manner of men without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
She said, “How we treat those who can’t fight back, should matter. It is only when this culture is imbibed that the Rule of Law would be restored.
“The Bar and the Bench must join hands to cleanse our profession.
“Let us revert to the hallowed traditions of integrity, fairness and steadfast diligence that was the stock in trade of the legal profession.”
Speaking on recent development where courts of coordinate jurisdiction gave same orders, Justice Denton-West urged judges to always ensure they study cases assigned to them with diligence to avoid giving discordant judgements in similar cases.
“We should strive to uphold the sanctity and the dignity of the courts. Courts of coordinate jurisdiction should not undermine each other.
“As the oldest serving female judge, I have been a recipient of such unbecoming attitude by a judge in the same jurisdiction.
“It was very unfortunate,” she added.
