Judicial autonomy key to dispensation of justice… Gov. Inuwa

William Attah, Gombe

Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State says his administration believes a strong and independent judiciary will facilitate fair and easy dispensation of justice.

He stated this during a special court session at the State’s High Court Complex to mark the commencement of the 2021/2022 legal year where he also stressed that it will aid in the overall transformation of the judicial arm of Government.

He assured his government’s willingness to continue to support and sponsor manpower development and training as well as other aspects of welfare of Senior Judges and other Judiciary staff in the State so as to maintain the production of well-equipped and skilled officers.

According to the Governor, his administration is determined to ensure autonomy of both the Judiciary and Legislature in line with the principle of separation of powers, reason why he recently assented to the Law granting financial autonomy of the Judiciary and Legislative arms of government in the State.

He observed that the commencement of the 2021/2022 legal year of the Judiciary is significant as it gives members of the bar and the bench the opportunity to have a sober reflection, self-assessment and critical examination of its achievements and challenges in the preceding year.

The Governor commended the Judiciary for the laudable achievements and successes recorded by the courts in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities in the last legal year noting with satisfaction, the speedy dispensation of cases, especially in the lower courts where bulk of the cases are usually filed and presented for hearing.

Governor Inuwa equally wished the Judiciary a better performance in justice delivery, commitment and hard work in the disposition of cases before them in the new legal year.

“The respect for the rule of Law demonstrated by Mr. President and Commander- in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has undoubtedly strengthened the crucial role of the Judiciary in the promotion and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria today”, Inuwa stressed.

“I find it imperative to commend the Judiciary for working in harmony with other sectors towards achieving our desired goal of entrenching a truly crime free and peaceful society.

“It is in this regard that I recently appointed 3 High Court Judges and 2 Khadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal to enhance speedy dispensation of justice.

“The State Government equally provided vehicles to the newly appointed Judges and Kadis to facilitate effective service delivery.

“Let me use this opportunity to assure the entire members of the Judiciary that we would continue to make available all necessary facilities that will enhance the effective discharge of their responsibilities”, he assured.

“I am constrained to point out however, that Governments at all levels are forced to drastically cut down expenditure as a result of the global economic crisis occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic.

“That notwithstanding, I want to assure My Lords that our administration is fully committed towards meeting the demands of the Judiciary. It is against this backdrop that Government considered the demands of the Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) which resulted in the mutual agreement that brought to an end the recent strike action embarked upon by the Union”, he stated.

Speaking earlier, the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Mu’azu Abdulkadir Pindiga said the Gombe State Judiciary was able to hear and determine a total of ten thousand two hundred and seventy one cases out of the fourteen thousand seven hundred and fourteen litigations comprising both civil and criminal cases in the year under review.

He also revealed that the Judiciary generated the sum of forty-eight million four hundred and fifty-five thousand five hundred and ninety-nine naira in court fees and fines as revenue.

The Gombe State Acting Chief Judge who will soon bow out of service after attaining the compulsory age of retirement, used the occasion to thank Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his friendly disposition to the Judiciary and respect to the rule of law, urging him to sustain steam.

The Gombe State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Zubair Muhammad Umar told the gathering that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has surpassed all expectations concerning his cordiality with the Judiciary and more importantly his respect to the rule of law.

The Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Gombe State Chapter, Barrister Ahmed Tukur observed with satisfaction the coming into effect, the State Administration of Criminal Justice which he said was made possible through the instrumentality of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya