From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Chief Judge (CJ) of Nasarawa State, Justice Aisha Bashir, has charged Magistrates to be upright and stand by the truth while delivering justice to the people of the state.
CJ Bashir gave this charge recently while inaugurating 30 new Magistrates who have been converted after obtaining degrees in Law and graduated successfully from the Law School.
She called on judges to resist the influence of family members and friends, in order not to compromise in the discharge of their duties.
The CJ also urged them to limit their social activities and be neutral and decide cases in accordance with the provisions of the law.
He advised those that always attempt to influence judges decisions to tell their lawyers to prove their cases in the court.
“The last time few Magistrates were appointed was in 2012, hence the need for this appointments to fill in the vacuum created by death, retirement, appointments to higher courts, and resignation among others.
“Therefore, you must adhere strictly to your oath of office and oath of secrecy in your new status.
“You will be left alone when you succumb to such pressures and take wrong decisions and it backfires,” the CJ said.
She charged them to be hardworking and stick to the rules of the game, adjudicating cases with the right approach, calling on them to shun bribery and corruption while discharging his judicious responsibility.
Earlier, State Chairman, Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Abdullahi Shams-Shama, commended management of the state judiciary for approving the appointments of such number of magistrates.
Shams-Shama who thanked the CJ for creating more courts and renovating the existing ones across the state also lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule for approving cars loan for all their members in the state.
The chairman however, appealed for the implementation of the Nasarawa State harmonisation of Condition of Service for their members to make them more comfortable in the discharge of their duties.