Judiciary to deal with corruption cases in accordance with the law

Judiciary to deal with corruption cases in accordance with the lawnnMONDAY, August 20, 2018nnJudiciary is committed to ensuring that all the Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes cases brought before courts are dealt with impartially, expeditiously and in accordance with the law and the evidence presented.nnChief Justice David Maraga said that this is the only way Judiciary can maintain the confidence of the people it serves.nnSpeaking when he officially opened the Annual Judges’ Colloquium in Mombasa, the CJ noted that Judiciary will be professional when handling the cases and urged other actors in the justice chain to be equally diligent and professional in their work.nnHe said that the cases will be dealt in a manner that is both consistent with the Constitution and also advances public interest.nn“We are meeting at a time when the fight against corruption has gathered momentum and the Judiciary is constantly being challenged to “rise to the occasion”, the CJ said.nnIn the Judiciary, he said his administration continues to deal firmly with incidences of corruption and lack of integrity within the institution. He cited establishment of automated revenue collection systems in more than 90 per cent of the courts, and gazettment of the Judiciary Fund Regulations which are pending Parliamentary approval, as some of the milestones achieved in curbing corruption in the Judiciary.nnHe added that the Audit and Risk Management Directorate has also completed inspection of several court stations and officials who are suspected of financial impropriety are under investigations by the other justice sector players.nnOn Judiciary budget cuts, Justice Maraga said the Judiciary has to be funded to perform its core function adding that in any democracy, Judiciary plays a key role in security and economic prosperity of the nation.nnSaying that it was shocking to the Judicial Service Commission and to himself that Judiciary could be given only 50 million for development, the CJ noted the country should realise the importance of the Judiciary and allocate it adequate resources to enable it operate.nnSouth Africa Chief Justice Hon Mogoeng Thomas Reetsang Mogoeng who delivered the keynote address titled; “Reflections on South Africa’s Experience in Enhancing Quality of Justice”, spoke on in the need for quality of justice in the African Judiciaries, equality before the law, integrity among judicial officers, judicial case management, the need for accountability in judicial independence and the need to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.nnThe colloquium themed: “Increasing Speed and Quality of Justice: A Judiciary Service Delivery Agenda” is held annually to reflect on the jurisprudential developments emerging from the courts and share experiences. The four-day conference is being attended by over 120 judges.nnOther issues that will be discussed during the forum are: Jurisprudence on Injunctions Against Public Institutions; Jurisprudence on Conservation of Water Towers in Kenya; Effective Case Management; and Mandatory Sentences: Judicial Discretion and Proposals on Way Forward.nnEnds/…nn nn nn