Outgoing Chief Judge, Mayaki decries shortage of Judges in Niger Courts

The outgoing Chief judge of Niger State, Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki, has decried the shortage High and Sharia Court Judges, saying there was need for appointment of Court Judges to reduce the backlog of cases in the State High courts and the Sharia court Divisions.

He stated that shortage of High Court and Sharia Court Judges in the Niger state Judiciary is affecting the speedy administration of Justice, stressing that appointment of more High Court judges would assist in reducing the hitherto pending cases in most of the existing High and Sharia courts in Niger State Judiciary.

Speaking during his valedictory court session held at the State High Court complex in Minna Friday, Justice Aliyu Mayaki explained that a total of twenty more High Court Judges would’ve required in Niger State to reduce the over burden of cases spread across the existing courts in Niger State, adding that some of the newly established High Courts in the State were being over seen by a High court of another division.

According to the outgoing Chief Judge, only thirteen High court Judges existed in Niger State High Court Division, adding that with his disengagement from the service, another vacuum would-be created which he noted that needed to be filled.

“Another problem facing us, is the backlog of cases in our High court Divisions which made work more hectic for our Judges.

“It is not a surprise to have a judge handling more than one hundred cases in his court. This problem stems from the fact that our State has the largest land mass in the country covering about 76,363 km with over five million people yet, we have only 13 High court Judges including myself. Once I leave, which I will today, the number will be reduced by one”, he stated.

He insisted that already four High courts, in Lapai, New Bussa, Kuta and Rijau Divisions were being overseen by already overworked Judges “not to talk of the rigors of moving from their Divisions to oversee other courts.

“I therefore strongly make a case to the goverment and the National Judicial Council (NJC), for appointment of more High court Judges in Niger State” he requested.

He observed that Justice delivery in Niger State will be greatly enhanced, if at least twenty more serving Judges will be considered for appointment appealing to governor Abubakar Sani Bello to urgently consider the appointment of more High court and Sharia court Judges in the State Judiciary.

Justice Aliyu Mayaki reminded Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on the outstanding request of lower court judges which according to him, include the continuation of providing official vehicles, payment of promotion arears, implementation of promotions and annual medical allowances.

In his remarks, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello assured that his administration will continue to partner with the State Judiciary in ensuring smooth and cordial working relationship with the third arm of government.

He said his administration will give the financial autonomous to the Judiciary as soon as the financial position of the State improve, while commending the outgoing Chief judge for his service to the state.

Meanwhile Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has sworn in Justice Aisha Lami Bawa Bwari as the acting Chief Judge of the State.