Bauchi Governor reiterates commitment to effective, efficient justice administration, delivery 

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed in a group photograph with Judges to commence the new legal year 

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has reiterated the commitment of his administration to facilitating  the effective administration of Justice.

The Governor also stressed that his administration will continue to give the justice sector and the judiciary as a whole, the attention it deserves to ensure effective and efficient administration of justice.

Mohammed was speaking at the ceremony for the commencement of the new legal year for 2023/2024 held at the  High Court of Bauchi State complex on Wednesday.

The Governor also said that since taking office in 2019, his administration has been giving the administration of justice in the state the attention it deserved considering that it is the last resort of the common man.

Mohammed further said that all Judges will soon return home with their new official vehicles, in line with other ongoing reforms aimed at ensuring the success of their activities.

In order to facilitate the effective administration of justice, he had approved the laws on the administration of criminal justice, the Penal Code and the law on combating gender-based violence. 

He also approved the provision of vehicles for the Four newly appointed Judges of the High Court and four lay judges.

According to the Governor, this is in addition to numerous reforms including the rehabilitation of structures among others, and that judges should help the state prevent delays in issues of sustainable growth and development.

He said that despite the lack of funds, the delay in justice is a denial of justice and efforts must be made to ensure that justice is effectively administered in order for development to continue.

The State Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Hassan Yacoub congratulated Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his support to revitalize the Ministry of Justice to enable it to meet the people’s demand for justice.

He informed the gathering that the government had paid the practice fees for all Lawyers affiliated with the Ministry, provided modern laptops and the approval to hire twenty lawyers for the state and congratulated Governor Mohammed for his support.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Bauchi State Branch, Dr. Ibrahim Danjuma, appreciated the friendly working relationship between the state government and its members and that the new legal year should help to draw new boundaries for the judiciary in the state in accordance with the law.

He requested that the appointment of judges be based on merit and competence to enable the state to succeed in future tasks.

The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, said that the Legal Year ceremony usually gives Judges an opportunity to reflect and take responsibility for all court proceedings for continuous development.

She expressed appreciation to Governor Mohammed for his support to the Judges and justice systems in the state and that the judiciary would continue to support the administration to enable it to succeed.