Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State presided over the swearing-in ceremony for six new state high court judges and 15 Shari’a Court judges on Monday, charging them to prioritize justice and fairness in their judicial duties.
The governor appealed to the judges to align their judicial decisions with his administration’s goals of promoting good governance and upholding due process.
Mohammed emphasised “the importance of the judiciary in promoting justice and the rule of law,” saying, “New judges must dispense justice without fear or favour and be guided by the principles of fairness and equity.”
He said the appointment of the judges was “a testament to their hard work and dedication to the legal profession.”
The governor urged the new judges to “work towards the decongestion of the correctional facilities in the state which are currently overcrowded, posing a significant challenge to the administration of justice.”
“As judges, you should also prioritise cases involving inmates who have been awaiting trial for extended periods, and to ensure that justice is served without delay,” he said.
Justice Rabi Umar, the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, appreciated the governor for the confidence reposed in the new judges and assured him that they “would work tirelessly to uphold the principles of justice and fairness, to ensure that the judiciary in Bauchi State remains a beacon of hope for the people.”
“The judiciary is committed to the decongestion of the correctional facilities through speedy trial of cases to ensure that justice is served without delay,” the CJ said.
