By Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik says that there are currently 3,418 cases pending before the state high court from the 2022/2023 legal year.
Abdulmalik stated this while speaking at the special court session held at the High Court complex in Minna to mark the beginning of the 2023/2024 legal year.
According to her, 486 of these cases were freshly filed while 2,932 were brought forward from the preceding year.
In all, she said that a total of 448 cases have been disposed of while 2,970 are pending.
“From the available statistics, it is apparent that on average, each judge of the high court has a total of 228 cases in the docket and has disposed of 34 of them.”
Justice Abdulmalik said that 8,840 cases were filed at the magistrates court out of which 5,478 were disposed of while 3,234 are pending.
At the Sharia Court of Appeal, she said that 61 appeals were filed, 27 were disposed of, and 34 are still pending.
This, she said has called for a need to fill the void to lessen the workload and facilitate speedy dispensation of Justice.
The Chief judge, who lauded the recent passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in the state said that the law has provided timelines for the disposal of cases particularly in the magistrate courts.
“Therefore, there is no justification for cases to last longer than the period provided by the law.
“I call on members of the bar who have the inclination of using all forms of tactics to prolong hearing of cases to desist.
“Those who also frequently apply for transport of their cases from one court to another to avert the justice retaliation of cases must stop,” she warned.
She urged the state government to support the state judiciary in renovating court structures across the state.
“Since the creation of the state, the high court complex hall is yet to be completed,” she said.
The CJ, who assured that the state judiciary remains committed to living up to its responsibilities added that it has embarked on radical and massive reforms of court structures across the state.
On his part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Niger State chapter, Barr. Mohammed Waziri Abdulkadir lauded the commitment of judges in the state to ensuring the smooth administration of justice.
He commended the chief judge as well as the serving members of the bar for their outstanding leadership style.
According to him, judges remain underappreciated despite the essential role they play in the administration of justice.
He maintained that there was a need to reflect on the successes and challenges encountered in the past legal year to come up with innovative ideas that will enhance the state’s justice system.
Abdulkadir who said that the passage of the ACJL was a momentous milestone for the state advised that the state judicial officers be trained on harnessing the benefits of the ACJL.
Similarly, the Acting Chief Registrar, of the High Court of Justice Niger State, Hassan Mohammed in his remark urged all stakeholders to work together towards breaking barriers, eliminating bias, and creating a legal community that reflects the rich tapestry of Nigeria.
Mohammed noted that the ACJL in Niger state just as in many legal systems has its limitations.
He stated the limitations to include inadequate implementation, resource constraints, delayed justice, lack of awareness as well and bureaucratic hurdles.
“Addressing these limitations requires a multi-faceted approach in the form of synergy and commitment by all stakeholders in the administration of justice.
“This includes improved public awareness, funding, better training of legal professionals, and commitment to upholding the principles of justice and fairness.”
