President Goodluck Jonathan said Thursday that all perpetrators of terrorist acts would not escape justice.
Jonathan, speaking while commissioning the Federal High Court complex, said the presence of High Court in virtually every state of the federation was a good development as it would bring justice closer to the people.
“This is in tandem with this administration’s determined efforts to expand access to justice for the people and ensure that Nigerian’s from all nooks and crannies are able to access the courts for the purposes of resolving their disputes,” he said.
The President, who spoke through the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan commended the “Chief Judge and other Justices of this court for their hard work and immeasurable support for this administration’s resolve to hold accountable all the perpetrators of terrorist acts across the country.
“I have been duly informed that the practice directions issued by the court has contributed significantly to the reduction of trial delays and engendered speedy trial of terrorism and allied offences,” the President said, adding, “it is my fervent hope that this magnificent edifice, which we are about to commission, will further provide the necessary conducive environment for the court to excel in the discharge of its adjudicatory function.”
Dr. Jonathan also commended the Federal High Court for its implementation of innovative reform measures determined to expand access to justice and bring it closer to Nigerians.
He observed that the access to High Court by Nigerians would not have been possible saying “ if deliberate steps were not taken to ensure the presence of the court in virtually every state in the federation.”
In his speech, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan thanked the Federal Government for creation of the Asaba Division of the Federal High court in the state.
In particular, he commended the erection of the High Court Complex stressing that it “was built by the Federal Government and not the Delta State government … the only contribution of the Delta State government was the provision of land for this edifice.”
Dr Uduaghan assured President Jonathan of the state government commitment to partnering with the Federal Government in its developmental efforts.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice I.N. Auta commended the efforts of Governor Uduaghan in ensuring that the Federal High Courts was established in Delta State, asserting: “pursuant to the unrelenting efforts of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan , Delta State now has not only one Division but two Divisions, one here in Asaba as well as one in Warri.”
“It is my hope that all those who pass through this complex will find the justice they deserve,” the Chief Judge said, adding, “this building apart from being an eloquent testimony of our determination to enhance the administration of justice, it is also our own modest contribution to the President’s transformation agenda.”
