Niger Attorney-General confirms ‘partial independence of judiciary’ under Governor Bago

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Niger State, Barrister Nasiru Mu’azu has confirmed that the judiciary under the current administration of Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago has been granted partial independence compare to what is obtainable else where.

Barrister Mu’azu revealed this while interacting with journalists in his office in Minna, stating that the autonomy granted to the Niger State Judiciary has assisted it in embarking on some meaningful projects under the leadership of the Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik.

The Commissioner explained that under governor Bago administration, the Judiciary is doing much better, adding that, even in the immediate past administration, Judiciary fare better than other judiciary across the country.

“In my capacity then as Chief Registrar of the High Court, I am in position to attest to it, but, I think, if the present understanding is sustained and improved slightly, it would even be better than what is now called partial autonomy, as it is now, it is not bad for Niger State Judiciary”.

The legal luminary also revealed that not too long, governor Bago approved the renewal of official vehicles for 12 High Court Judges including Grand Khadi except the two High Court Judges whose official vehicles were not due for renewal, revealing that brand new Land Cruiser Jeeps have already been purchased for the judges.

The Justice Commissioner hinted that of recent, the governor had given directive that Judiciary salary be paid by Judiciary, pointing out that the governor had given the Commissioner of Finance a matching order to that effect, that everything about the judiciary should be transmitted back to their account department.

“The Governor insisted that Ministry of Finance should not be responsible for the payment of Judicial staff salaries”, he said.

Barrister Mu’azu stated that is a welcome development, if the governor’s directive is fully implemented, it will solve a lot of problem, saying where there is anomalies, it will be easier to regularize it.

On the training and re-training of Judicial staff, the Attorney General maintained that the training has been remarkable, adding that, recently, electronic training was conducted for Magistrates Court Judges, and also said very soon, Sharia Court judges would also under go training.

The Commissioner lauded the Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik for restoring and reforming the state judiciary.

“The C.J has been up and doing to ensure that the staff get training periodically.”