Bello canvasses selfless service as FCTA fetes outgoing Customary Court Justice

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has called on public officials to always emulate models of selfless service of the likes of recently retired president of the FCT Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Moses Bello.

Malam Bello gave this charge at a dinner organized by the FCT Administration in honour of the outgoing Customary Court President, who bowed out of the Bench after more than 35 years of service, including 26 years as head of the Federal Capital Territory, Customary Court of Appeal.

The FCT Minister who described Justice Bello’s tenure as exceptional, noted “Your tenure as President, FCT Customary Court of Appeal has not been matched anywhere in this country because a person must be God chosen and be an exceptional person to be able to hold an exalted public office continuously for 26 years as a head of an organization. That is unsurpassed and I congratulate you for that.”

The Minister used the occasion to encourage public officials, particularly the younger officers to always put in their best in the service to fill the void created by the exit of such veterans as the retiring Justice.

“If we don’t hold on to the historical beginning of this city, we will never appreciate what this city is and we’ll never appreciate why we all need to put in a lot to make sure that we protect this city, we defend this city and uphold the unity that this city stands for and we do all that based on justice, hard work and fair play.

Malam Bello while acknowledging the crucial role the judiciary has played in helping to rapidly transform the FCT beyond expectations, said the FCT Administration, in particular, has enjoyed tremendous support from the judiciary.

He recalled that the FCT Customary Court of Appeal, was established as a Superior Court of Record pursuant to Decree No. 30 of 1991 and enshrined in Section 265, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. It was charged with the mandate to exercise appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over issues of Customary Law and Chieftaincy matters in the Territory.

Consequently, the FCT Minister commended retired Justice Moses Bello (rtd), for the able way the Court, under his watch, discharged its mandate creditably. He pledged to extend the good relations between the Court and the FCT Administration to the new leadership of the Court.

While wishing him a successful retirement, the FCT Minister assured, “we will always be available to listen to you if there are any areas you think the administration will need to look at. Whenever we call upon you to support us in any kind of venture, we hope you will always be available to support us.”

The FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, in his welcome address at the event said Justice Bello has made vital contributions to the development of the FCTA, having started his law practice as a staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Development Authority during which he acted as Head of Department of Legal Services between 1984 and 1985.

In his response at the occasion, Rtd Justice Moses Bello urged all public servants, especially the up and coming ones, to have patience.

His words, “If you know what you are doing before God, stand by it. Nothing will happen to you irrespective of the challenges that comes with standing for the truth. If you give honest advice with due respect to your seniors, you will save yourself and you will save the institution.”

Justice Bello thanked the FCT Minister, for the able way with which he is piloting the affairs of the Territory as well as his commitment to prudence, justice and effective service delivery.