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.
“It will also serve as the venue for the conduct of our promotion examinations or even the venue for the conduct of our Ceremonial Court sessions or valedictory court sessions’.
The Chief Judge also expressed worry at the plight of magistrates in the state, saying “Magistrates commute in public transport to and from work. This is undignifying as it constitutes an imminent danger to their well-being as they sometimes join vehicles with litigants, defendants, and accused persons appearing before them.
” This brings me to the unfortunate situation confronting three retired Chief Judges of the state namely: Justice Ahmed Bima, Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki, and Justice Aisha Lami Bwari
” Throughout their tenures as Chief Judges of the state, neither Justice Bima nor Justice Mayaki was given an official vehicle. None of the three retired Chief Judges were given a retirement home as required by Law.
” Your Excellency, I share their agony and I will not pretend but state that I shudder and tremble whenever the issue crosses my mind. I often wonder what will be my fate when I retire”? Justice Abdulmalik asked.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, Barr. Nasiru Muazu, in his remarks, observed that the Nigerian criminal justice system in general, like many others, has faced resource constraints.
He noted that inadequate funding, overcrowded correctional centers, and a shortage of legal professionals particularly from the public bar were responsible for the ineffective implementation of the administration of Criminal Justice.
According to the Attorney General, delays in legal processes will continue to be a significant challenge, adding that despite the provisions for speedy trials as provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Niger State, inefficiencies at all levels also lead to lengthy delays in the resolution of cases.