Nasarawa Judiciary launches e-platform for smooth administration of justice

The Nasarawa State Judiciary has launched an Electronic Management System platform to ensure the smooth and quick administration of justice in the state.

Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Aisha Aliyu, disclosed in Lafia, the State capital at the 2022 legal year celebration and valedictory court session in honor of the retired Grand Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, Abdullahi Mohammed.

According to the CJ, with the introduction of the e-platform, affidavits and other court processes can now be done online from anywhere to ensure smooth and quick administration of justice.

The Chief Judge explained that the e-platform was part of the ongoing reforms to transform the judicial system and ensure the better welfare of judges and other staff to motivate them for better service delivery.

Justice Aliyu said she inherited a disoriented workforce and was faced with daunting challenges on assumption in the office on Dec. 31, 2020, as acting CJ and later confirmed as substantive Chief Judge on April 12, 2021.

“I was faced with the challenges of how to secure the confidence of staff who had been on strike due to welfare issues, dilapidated courts without toilet facilities, and lack of accommodation for staff. 

“After my confirmation as CJ, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of the state told me to find a way to resolve the strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) that had lingered for more than one year.

“To resolve the problem, I immediately reinstated 32 staff who were dismissed, implemented outstanding promotions from 2011 to 2021, converted staff who were stagnated for more than ten years after further studies, and implemented the increment of minimum wage,” the CJ added.

Justice Aliyu added that she also build five High Courts from scratch in Obi, Uke, High Courts 1 Keffi, Nasarawa-Eggon, and Wamba and renovated over 30 others across the state.

The CJ also said that they have introduced welfare packages for staff who are sick, bereaved, or getting married to motivate them for effective service delivery.

She explained that all that was achieved was made possible because of the support through the prompt release of funds by the governor.

She also explained that the governor had recently released money for the vehicle loan to all Magistrates and Area Courts judges including the 34 newly appointed Magistrates.

The Chief Judge added that the governor had also increased the subvention of the Judiciary to enable them to meet the increasing staff demands.

The Chief Judge also said she has commenced the construction of over 500 capacity ceremonial court to ensure that going forward, important events of the Judiciary are held without any problem.

Earlier, Chairman, of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lafia Branch, Barr. Joseph Kugbu,  who spoke on behalf of the Bar, lauded the CJ as well as the governor for holding the first legal year celebration since the creation of the state.

The BAR Chairman also commended the retired Grand Khadi for a meritorious service rendered to the state and appealed to members of the society not to discriminate against him because of his decisions as a judge.

He also appealed to the state government to ensure accelerated payment of the payment of gratuity of retired judges to enable them to enjoy their retirements.

In his remarks, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, represented by Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Abdulkarim Kana, commended the CJ for ushering in a new era in the judicial administration in the state.

The governor said that the government had increased the subvention of the Judiciary and had so far given approvals to any request by the CJ because of his desire to build strong institutions.

Governor Sule added that he has recently released funds as medical allowances and vehicles loan for judges to ease the logistics challenges they often faced while discharging their duties.

The governor assured the Judiciary of continued support to enable it to function effectively in the interest of the overall development of the state.

He, therefore, congratulated the retired Grand Khadi for the services rendered and wished happy retirement.