Six new judges for the state high court and fifteen more for the Shari’a Court were sworn in on Monday by Senator Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State. They were given the mandate to uphold justice and fairness in the performance of their duties.
The governor urged them to support the objectives of his administration, which include due process and good governance.
Mohammed said, “New judges must dispense justice without fear or favor and be guided by the principles of fairness and equity,” emphasizing “the importance of the judiciary in promoting justice and the rule of law.”
His statement regarding the judges’ appointment read, “A testament to their hard work and dedication to the legal profession.”
The governor urged the new judges to “work towards the decongestion of the state’s correctional facilities, which are currently overcrowded, posing a significant challenge to the administration of justice.”
“As judges, you should also give cases involving prisoners who have been awaiting trial a higher priority in order to ensure that justice is served as soon as possible,” he stated.
Justice Rabi Umar, the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, thanked the governor for his trust in the newly appointed judges and gave him his word that they “would work tirelessly to uphold the principles of justice and fairness, to ensure that the judiciary in Bauchi State remains a beacon of hope for the people.”
The CJ declared, “The judiciary is committed to the decongestion of the correctional facilities through speedy trial of cases to ensure that justice is served without delay.”
