By Mahmoud Dogara (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Tuesday, charged the judiciary in the state to expedite action on the trial of criminals, especially those that relate to rape, banditry, murder, and kidnapping.
The Governor who spoke at the 2020/201 Legal Year held at the High Court Complex in Bauchi, noted that the speedy trial of criminals will assist in curtailing the nefarious activities of criminals not only in the state but across the country.
The Governor commended the performance of the judiciary in the state in the area of speedy disposal of cases within the last legal year, having disposed of about 2/3 of the cases filed, pointing out that such a move, will enhance the confidence of the common people in the judiciary.
"As part of efforts to protect the weak and vulnerable in the state, my administration passed into law, the Violence Against Persons Protection Bill. Under my watch, criminals who derive pleasure in putting young ones and their parents through agony, will not go scot-free.
"Since my assumption in the office on the 29th of May 2019, I decided to operate an open-door policy of an all-inclusive government, anchored on transparency, rule of law, accountability, and good governance. To achieve that, I carried along other arms of government by collaborating and cooperating with them while recognizing and respecting their independence as enshrined under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended", he said
According to him, the judiciary being a non-elective arm of government remains the stabilizing factor in a democracy, hence it needs understanding, cooperation, and support of other Arms of Government.
"Due to my avowed believed in Justice, fair play, rule of law and independence of the judiciary, I am doing everything humanly possible within the limited resources available, to provide a conducive atmosphere for the judiciary to function effectively and efficiently under the international best practices" he added
Governor Mohammed told the gathering that, during the year under review, he strived and fulfilled all the promises made to the judiciary during the last legal year ceremony, which include the completion of the second phase High Court Complex of 8 Courts, Judges Chambers, Registrar's Office, Court Cells and other offices.
Others, according to Governor Mohammed, are the furnishing of the High Court Complex with state of the art and modern facilities, completion of the renovation of Fadaman Mada Courts and furnishing the Courts with modern facilities, completion of the renovation of former High Court 8 into two different courts, provision of brand new and befitting official cars to the Chief Judge, Grand Khadi, Judges of the High Courts and Khadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the state among others.
"We always respond positively and promptly to memos presented by the Judiciary. These have been a milestone achieved for the judiciary in the outgoing year. I assure you that in the coming years, my administration will strive to do more in the areas of construction, renovation and provision of infrastructures for the judiciary" he said
The governor who used the opportunity to commission Honorable Justice Tanko Mohammed High Court Complex second phase pleaded with the judiciary to remain impartial and independent of all external pressures to enable those who appear before judges, have confidence that their cases will be considered fairly and by the law.
In her address, the State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, described the relationship between the judiciary and the executive arms of government as cordial and collaborative with a lot of understanding, saying that the governor has done very well for the judiciary since he assumed office.
The occasion was attended by the State Deputy Governor Sen. Baba Tela and other top Government functionaries. NNL.
