From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Judiciary has launched an electronic management system platform, in order to ensure smooth and quick administration of justice in the state.
The Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Alisha Aliyu, made this known on Friday in Lafia, during the 2022 legal year celebration and valedictory court session in honour of the retired Grand Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, Abdullahi Mohammed.
She explained that the e-platform was part of the ongoing reforms to transform the judicial system and ensure better welfare of judges and other staff for better service delivery.
According to her, the introduction of e-platform, affidavit and other court processes will be done online to ensure smooth and quick administration of justice.
Speaking on the challenges faced since her assumption into office, the CJ said: “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, Governor Abdullahi Sule of the state told me to fine 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 10 years after further studies and implemented the increment of minimum wage,” she added.
Aliyu added that she also built five High Courts from scratch to finish in Obi, Uke, High Courts 1 Keffi, Nasarawa-Eggon and Wamba and renovated over 30 others across the state.
She further stated that the judiciary under her watch also introduced welfare package for staff to motivate them for effective service delivery.
According to her, Governor Sule recently released funds for the purchase of vehicle loan to all Magistrates and Area Court judges including the 34 newly appointed Magistrates.
The CJ 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.
She, therefore, said that all the challenges were achieved due to the support given by Governor Sule through prompt release of funds.
In his remark, Governor Sule, represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kana, commended the CJ for ushering a new era in the judicial administration in the state.
Sule said 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.
He said that the state government recently released funds as medical allowances and for vehicles loan for judges, in order to ease the logistics challenges they often face while discharging their duties.
The governor assured the judiciary of continued support to enable it function effectively in the interest of the state.
He, therefore, congratulated the retired Grand Khadi for the services rendered and wished him happy retirement.
Earlier, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Lafia branch, Barr Joseph Kigbu, 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 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 gratuity of retired judges to enable them enjoy their retirement.
