The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik has warned that she would not condone corruption, ineptitude and lackadaisical attitude to duty by any judicial officers.
She assured that her stewardship will treat everyone judicial officers in the service of Niger State Judiciary with utmost respect and candour.
Speaking at her swearing in ceremony as the ninth Chief Judge of the State by governor Abubakar Sani Bello at government house in Minna Monday, assured that hardworking and committed judicial officers would be rewarded.
According to the Chief Judge, her stewardship would proportionately reward hardwork, and recognize excellence in service.
“During my stewardships, I intend to treat everyone with utmost respect and candour.
“In doing so, I will neither sacrifice merit nor condone corruption, ineptitude or lackadaisical attitude to duty. At appropriate time, we shall recognize hardwork and reward excellence” she assured.
She stated that her tenure as the Chief Judge will overhaul the workings of the Judiciary for better service delivery in terms of structure and infrastructure, adding that plan has been mapped out towards the execution of a short term, medium term and long term basis.
This, the chief judge explained is to fast track the processes and ensure speedy and quality dispensation of Justice
“Ultimately, we intend to fully digitalize and automate the judicial system for better and greater service. But this will remain a fallacy unless and until we receive the required funds” she asserted.
Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik expressed concern on the accurate financial state of the Niger State Judiciary which according to her has resulted to the dilapidated and decaying infrastructure in the State Judiciary.
“As I speak, today, the entire roofing of the Niger State High Court complex.has failed and the furniture are complete wreck.
“We have inadequate number of Court and in many instances, we use rented accommodation as courts.
“Currently, the Magistrate Court in Tufa has collapsed. Worst still, we have twenty-five Magistrates using thirteen courts on alternate basis which has negative effect on productivity.
“Again part of the Niger State Judicial Service Commission (NJSC) complex is sinking. I can go on and on but the thing speaks for itself”, she added.
She then stressed the need for the governor to provide for the welfare of the judicial officers, describing the living condition of the judicial officers in Niger State as penury as they have stagnated on one salary in the last 14 years despite the inflation and the depreciation in the value “of our currency by over 60 percent.”
The July 15, 2022 judgement of the National Industrial Court ordered for the increase of salaries of judicial officers was yet to be implemented and despite the critical situation of judges they expected to remain steadfast and incorruptible,” she asserted.
Speaking earlier, governor Abubakar Sani Bello assured that his administration will continue to partner the state Judiciary towards ensuring the speedy administration of Justice.
He stated that his administration is committed to improving the welfare of all categories of judicial officers which informed his administration directive to the constant release of funds to the
Judiciary.
The governor assured the Chief Judge of his administration’s support to her.
