Justice delivery, collective responsibility of stakeholders – Gombe Governor

The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says criminal justice delivery is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders in the judicial system.

He stated this on Wednesday during the opening ceremony to mark the commencement of the 2021/2022 legal year of the Gombe State Judiciary

Yahaya commended the judicial officers for the laudable achievements and successes recorded in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities during the year.

“I find it imperative to commend the Judiciary for working in harmony with other sectors towards achieving our desired goal of entrenching a truly crime free and peaceful society.

“It is in this regard that I recently appointed three High Court Judges and two Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal to enhance speedy dispensation of justice.

“The State Government equally provided vehicles to the newly appointed Judges and Kadis to facilitate effective service delivery.”

He stated that his administration was committed to ensuring a strong and independent Judiciary to facilitate fair and speedy dispensation of justice.

“In other to ensure independence of the Judiciary and Legislature in line with the principle of separation of powers, I recently assented to the Law granting financial autonomy to the two arms of government in the State,” he said.

He pledged his administration’s commitment to continue to support and sponsor man power development and training of welfare of Judges and Judiciary staff in the state

The Acting Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga disclosed that the state judiciary during the 2021 Legal year, heard and determined 10 thousand 271 cases from 14, 714 litigations in both civil and criminal cases adding that 3,028 cases were pending in the state courts and would be carried into 2022.

According to him, the bulk of the cases filed in the state which comprised of civil and criminal files was filed and heard at the Magistrates’ and Area Courts.

He said within the year under review, over N48 million was realised from court fines and fees, probate fees, marriage registry and fees from tribunals.

Justice Pindiga, who is retiring from service after attaining the compulsory age, thanked Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the attention paid to the Judiciary

While commending the Governor for his support, he urged the state government to implement full independence and autonomy of the state judiciary.

He said that this would ensure effective and efficient administration of justice.

The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Gombe State, Mr Zubairu Mohammed Umar, said since Governor Yahaya came into office he had addressed some challenges confronting the Judiciary, through the construction and furnishing of office accommodations and the digitization of offices of state counsel among others numerous interventions.

The Chairman Nigerian Bar Association Gombe State Chapter, Mr Ahmed Tukur, called on security agencies in the State to be civil in their dealings with members of the bar and the bench as well as citizens of the state.

NAN/PIAK