Judiciary
NASARAWA State Judiciary has launched an Electronic Management System platform to facilitate quick administration of justice in the state.
The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Alisha Aliyu, made this known on Friday in Lafia.
She spoke at the celebration of the 2022 Legal Year and valedictory court session in honour of the retired Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed.
With the introduction of the e-platform, swearing to affidavits and other court processes can be done online.
Justice Aliyu said the e-platform was part of on-going reforms to transform the state’s judiciary and ensure improved welfare of judges and staff for better service delivery.
She recalled that she inherited a disoriented workforce and faced daunting challenges when she assumed office in 2021.
“I was faced with the challenges of how to secure the confidence of staff that had been on strike due to welfare issues, dilapidated courts without toilet facilities and lack of accommodation for staff.
“After my confirmation as the Chief Judge, Gov. Abdullahi Sule 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 employees who had been dismissed and effected outstanding promotions announced between 2011 and 2021.
“I also converted employees who were stagnated for more than 10 years after further studies to new cadres and implemented the increment in the national minimum wage,’’ she said.
Justice Aliyu said she had also built five High Courts from scratch in Obi, Uke, Keffi, Nasarawa-Eggon and Wamba and renovated more than 30 others across the state.
She said she had started the construction of a 500-seater capacity ceremonial court to ensure that important events of the Judiciary were held without hitches.
She added that her administration introduced welfare packages for staff that took ill, or were bereaved or were getting married, to motivate them for effective service delivery.
She explained that Gov. Sule recently released money to be disbursed as vehicle loans to all magistrates and Area Court judges, including the 34 newly-appointed magistrates.
The Chief Judge added that the governor also increased subvention for the Judiciary to enable it to meet the increasing staff demands.
Earlier, Mr Joseph Kugbu, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Lafia Branch, lauded the Justice Aliyu and Gov. Sule for holding the first ever Legal Year celebration since the creation of the state on Oct. 1, 1996.
Kugbu also commended the retired grand khadi for a meritorious service 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 to enjoy their retirement.
In his remarks, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, represented by Malam Abdulkarim Kana, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General commended the Justice Aliyu for ushering in a new era in judicial administration in the state.
The governor announced that he gave approvals to requests by the chief judge because of his desire to build strong institutions.
He added that he released funds as medical allowances and for vehicles loans for judges to ease logistics challenges they often faced in the discharge of 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.
Gov. Sule congratulated the retired grand khadi for services rendered and wished him happy retirement. (NAN)
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Tags: Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed GOV. Abdullahi Sule Joseph Kugbu Justice Alisha Aliyu
