Some Courts operating from dilapidated, embarrassing apartments in Niger – Chief Judge

The Chief Judge of Niger State Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has disclosed that some courts in Niger State are operating in a rented accommodation while others are in a dilapidated states.

She revealed that already, the Izom Magistrate court has partially collapsed attributing the trends to insufficient allocation to fund capital projects in the judiciary.

The situation she said, was appalling and embarrassing to say the least.

Speaking at the special court session to mark the 2023/2024 Legal Year which took place at the High court complex in Minna, Justice Halima explained that the monthly allocations released to the state Judiciary is grossly inadequate to take care of their needs.

According to the Chief Judge, it is from the allocations that “we pay for the judges rents, national and international conferences and carry out capital projects”, adding that the High court complex is in dire need of upgrade by way of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reroofing.

“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 and Conference Centre and venue for our in- house capacity building training.

“It will also serve as the Venue for the conduct of our promotional examination or even the venue for the conduct of our Ceremonial Court sessions or Valedictory Court Sessions” she pointed out.

She stated that the Ninth Assembly had passed into Law the harmonization of Conditions of Service for Magistrates, Sharia Court Judges, State Counsels, Draftsmen and other Connected Purposes requesting governor Umar Mohammed Bago to direct the full implementation of the Law.

Ibrahim described as worrisome the manner at which Magistrates commute in Public transport to and from this, according to the Chief Judge is undignifying, it constitute imminent danger to their well-being ” as they sometimes join vehicles with litigants, defendants and accused persons appearing before them

“The implementation of the harmonized Conditions of Service Law 2023 will provide immense succor to their plight” she observed.

She drew the attention of governor Umar Mohammed Bago to the passage of the Harmonization of Conditions of Service for Magistrates and Shari’a court Judges, state Counsels, Draftsmen and other Connected Purposes by the Ninth Assembly.

She then requested the governor to direct for the full implementation of the Law, stating that seven out of the High court Judges were due for new vehicles adding that two of them are even long overdue.

“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

“ItThroughout 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” she insisted.

She noted that the duo of Justice Mayaki who retired in October 2020,and Justice Bwari who retired in February 2022 received their gratuity.

“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 Halima asked.

Speaking at the occasion, the Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice in Niger state, Barrister Nasiru Muazu observed that Nigerian Criminal Justice system in general, like many others, faced shortage of resources constraints.

He noted that inadequate funding, overcrowded correctional centers and shortage of legal professionals Particularly from the public bar were responsible to the effective implementation of the administration of Criminal administration of Justice.

According to the Attorney general, delays in the legal process continue to be a significant challenges adding that despite the provisions for speedy trials as provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Niger State lead to backlog in Courts and administrative inefficiencies at all levels also lead to lengthy delays in the resolution of cases.