A total of 342 cases were disposed of within the last one year by the Niger State High Courts Division of the state Judiciary while a total of 3,678 cases were disposed by the magistracy division of the state Judiciary.
The Chief judge of Niger State, Justice Halimat Ibrahim Abdulmalik stated this at a special court session to mark the maiden edition of the 2022 legal year.
She explained that the number of cases filed in the dockets of High Court was 1566. Of this figure, 403 were fresh cases while 1,163 were brought forward from the preceeding years.
Similarly, Justice Halimat disclosed that, at the Sharia Court of appeal, a total of 86 cases were registered in the preceeding year and 31 of the cases were with 55 still pending.
According to the Chief Judge, as at now the current compliment of judges needs to be augmented to meet the workload, stating that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the nomination of two High Hourt Judges and Khadis for the Shariah Court of appeal.
She requested for the appointment of more judges in the High Court division of the state Judiciary to ease the workload on judges.
She commended the role of governor Abubakar Sani Bello for making the necessary provisions for the appointment of judges and Khadis for the state Judiciary, adding that a total of 17 judges and Khadis were appointed during his administration.
While acknowledging noticable improvement in the disposal of cases, Justice Halimat Ibrahim Abdulmalik assured that she will not rest on her oars to ensure the speedy dispensation of Justice.
In his remark at the occasion, the Chairman, of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Minna branch, Mohammed Waziri Abdulkadir, applauded the chief judge for reviving the tradition of the annual legal year ceremony in short time of her elevation.
This, he noted demonstrated the kind of commitment and leadership required to enhance the course of legal profession and serve the greater good.
“For us in the bar, we are proud to be part of this success story.
“As we begin a new legal years, I join my lord to celebrate the rule of law and reiterate the supremacy of our constitution.
“In essence, today provides us with forums to appraise ourselves and review past activities, our achievements, challenges and expectations going forward”, he asserted
Also speaking, the state Chairman Magistrate Association of Nigeria (MAN), Hajiya Hauwa Kulu Isah , noted that there is a lot of expectations from the Judiciary, particularly the lower courts in the dispensation of Justice in the state.
She pointed out that the role of lower courts in the dispensation of Justice is critical, adding that the role cannot be overemphasized in maintaining a peaceful co-existence, law and order in a very volatile and complex nation like Nigeria
