Mohammed-Bago

Niger starving judiciary of funds – Chief Judge

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The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, has lamented that successive governments in the state starve the judiciary of the much-needed funds to carry out its duties.

Abdulmalik called on the government of Mohammed Bago to immediately implement the Harmonised Conditions of Service Law 2023 passed by the Ninth Assembly of the state legislature.

The Chief Judge made the call on Friday, during the last day of the special court session to mark the 2023/2024  Legal Year which took place at the High Court complex in Minna.

While requesting Governor Bago to order the full implementation of the law, she said, “Niger State lawmakers had passed into Law the Harmonisation of Conditions of Service for magistrates, sharia court judges, state counsels, draftsmen and others connected with criminal justice”.

According to her, “Some courts in Niger State are operating in rented accommodations while others are dilapidated. The Izom Magistrate Court has partially collapsed,” attributing the trend to insufficient allocation of funds for capital projects in the judiciary.

“It is from the allocations that we pay the Judges’ rents, attend national and international conferences, and carry out capital projects. The High Court complex is in dire need of upgrade by way of reconstruction, rehabilitation, and re-roofing.

“Since the creation of the State, the High Court conference Hall is yet to be completed. If when completed, the Hall will serve as our meeting point Conference Centre, and venue for our in-house capacity-building training.

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Niger state judiciary sacks three officers, demotes another

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Three senior staff of the Niger State Judiciary have been dismissed from service for serious official misconduct, while one another was demoted by two grade levels.

In a statement released by the Niger State Judicial Service Commission, the three dismissed officers were named as Mohammed Abubakar, Ahmed Usman and Usman Isah, while Fatima Sambo is the officer who bagged the demotion.

 

All four of them were all from the High Court division.

The dismissals, according to the statement, were as a result of acts of serious misconduct that contravened provisions of the commission’s regulations, which are disobedience of lawful orders, including refusal to proceed on transfer, and being absent from duty, without leave or reasonable cause

Ahmed Usman, who is a Senior Registrar at the probate department, was indicted for gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds, to the tune of over six hundred thousand Naira by an investigating committee.

Usman Isah, who is a Principal Registrar attached to the Magistrates Court, Minna, was found guilty of being absent from duty without leave or reasonable cause for over six months.

Fatima Sambo, a Senior Registrar at the probate department, was found guilty of negligent conduct and misappropriation of probate funds

The statement says it applied the sanctions on the erring officers to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary and maintain public confidence in the system

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You Can’t Wish Away Alleged Corruption In Judiciary, Says Niger State Chief Justice – Arise News

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The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has said the outcry by a section of the country that the judiciary was corrupt could not just be wished away.

Justice Abdulmalik made the comment in a message at the opening of  Bar Week of the Nigeria Bar Association of Niger State branch held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna.

“Corruption allegations abound, whether real or in the imagination of those making the allegations” she declared, adding that there was the need for the judiciary to have zero tolerance for corruption which may rear its ugly head in any form or manner.

“Corruption as we all know is not limited to illegal exchange of money for underserved favour, the failure of counsels to see to the Prosecution of cases of his client with diligence and honesty is also corruption,” she said.

Justice Abdulmalik, therefore, admonished members of the Bar to ensure that in the course of prosecuting cases, they strictly adhered to the etiquette and decorum expected from members of the profession.

She appreciated the “candid and sincere” working relationships between members of the bar and the bench before also saying, “We are looking forward to the bar and bench fora in March this year and others in subsequent years.

“Let me also remind the members of the Bar of the existence of the Multi-door Court House and Small Claims Court in the state” she added.

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Niger State judiciary dispenses 4,020 cases in one year – Chief Judge

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A total of 342 cases were disposed of within the last one year by the Niger State High Courts Division of the state Judiciary while a total of 3,678 cases were disposed by the magistracy division of the state Judiciary.

The Chief judge of Niger State, Justice Halimat Ibrahim Abdulmalik stated this at a special court session to mark the maiden edition of the 2022 legal year.

She explained that the number of cases filed in the dockets of High Court was 1566. Of this figure, 403 were fresh cases while 1,163 were brought forward from the preceeding years.

Similarly, Justice Halimat disclosed that, at the Sharia Court of appeal, a total of 86 cases were registered in the preceeding year and 31 of the cases were with 55 still pending.

According to the Chief Judge, as at now the current compliment of judges needs to be augmented to meet the workload, stating that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the nomination of two High Hourt Judges and Khadis for the Shariah Court of appeal.

She requested for the appointment of more judges in the High Court division of the state Judiciary to ease the workload on judges.

She commended the role of governor Abubakar Sani Bello for making the necessary provisions for the appointment of judges and Khadis for the state Judiciary, adding that a total of 17 judges and Khadis were appointed during his administration.

While acknowledging noticable improvement in the disposal of cases, Justice Halimat Ibrahim Abdulmalik assured that she will not rest on her oars to ensure the speedy dispensation of Justice.

In his remark at the occasion, the Chairman, of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna branch, Mohammed Waziri Abdulkadir, applauded the chief judge for reviving the tradition of the annual legal year ceremony in short time of her elevation.

This, he noted demonstrated the kind of commitment and leadership required to enhance the course of legal profession and serve the greater good.

“For us in the bar, we are proud to be part of this success story.

“As we begin a new legal years, I join my lord to celebrate the rule of law and reiterate the supremacy of our constitution.

“In essence, today provides us with forums to appraise ourselves and review past activities, our achievements, challenges and expectations going forward”, he asserted

Also speaking, the state Chairman Magistrate Association of Nigeria (MAN), Hajiya Hauwa Kulu Isah , noted that there is a lot of expectations from the Judiciary, particularly the lower courts in the dispensation of Justice in the state.

She pointed out that the role of lower courts in the dispensation of Justice is critical, adding that the role cannot be overemphasized in maintaining a peaceful co-existence, law and order in a very volatile and complex nation like Nigeria

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Governor Umaru Bago Condoles with Family of Retired Supreme Court Judge

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Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has extended heartfelt condolences to the family of retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Musa Muhammad Dattijo, following the death of his son, Aliyu Musa Dattijo. In a message conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Bago expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Aliyu, who was noted for his enterprise. He urged the family to accept the loss as the will of Allah and prayed for the deceased’s forgiveness and eternal peace in Aljannah Firdausi, as well as for strength and comfort for the grieving family.