Judges’ Discretion, Solution To Delayed Judgment — Justice Musa Kurya, Rtd

Retired Judge of Federal High Court Gombe, Musa Kurya, has described frivolous applications as one of the reasons for the delay in delivering judgment, adding that judges should use their discretion.

Kurya, who had served in Lagos and Jos divisions, spoke in an interview with journalists shortly after his valedictory session at the Federal High Court.

According to him, he would not blame lawyers directly for the applications, adding that the rules of the court may be the cause for the delay.

Justice Kurya said, “When you start entertaining such motions, you find a case taking three or four years before you can deliver the judgement.

“I don’t know whether to say directly that lawyers cause it or the rules of the court. They use the rules of the court to beat the judge, then there is nothing you can do.”

While proffering solutions to delay in dispensing judgment in criminal cases, Kurya noted that judges should be allowed to use their discretion to fast track the processes.