Justice Aruwa takes oath of office as New judge of Shari'a Court Justice for Kogi State »

New Shari’a Court Justice for Kogi State takes oath of office

The newly appointed Grand khadi in Kogi State, Justice Abdulkareem Aduwa on Tuesday took his oath of office as the Chief Judge of the State Sharia Court of Appeal.

The oath which was administrered by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello at the State Banquet Hall was witnessed by government officials, top judicial personnel, friends and well wishers of the new Grand Khadi

Kogi State’s Artoney General and Commisioner for justice Honourable Mohammed Sani Ibrahim (SAN) lauded the Governor on the pace with which his recconmendation was approved and sent to the legislative arm whom he also thanked for speedy legislative assent

While making a brief citation of the new Grand Khadi, he acknowledged that the jurist was a man of proven integrity and character whose resume speaks volume of the value which he would add to the legal system of the State.

Governor Bello in his remarks after administering the oath of office stated that the power to establish the Sharia law and administer such oath as contained in the 276 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended was being practiced in Kogi State in the interest of the society.

The Governor noted that he appointed the Grand Khadi on the 19th of May and such approval was promptly given a nod by the legislative arm the next day.

He pointed out that such event should inform anyone observer that the three arm of government in the State enjoys smooth synergy with compliance with the principles of seperation of powers, checks and balances.

The governor noted that when such principles were misunderstood their was the important need to seek proper clarification, stating that the State Government has soughted such from the Nigeria Judicial Council and they were already helping out on the matter.

On issues of allege financial misappropriation in the judicial arm, Governor Bello assured that the truth would eventually prevail.

He affirmed that the state has doused the raised tension which concerned labour issues and the welfare of the Judiciary staff through the intervention of the NJC, who approved the proposed biometric verification exercise.

The Governor stated that the State government was still awaiting clear copy of the Jucidicial arm payroll so as to ascertain its actual wage burden and implement towards that direction.

Governor Bello on salary arrears in the State reiterated that only 20billion naira was accessed by the state out of the approved 50.8 billion bail out fund applied for by previous administration stating that the utilisation of the fund was published to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Governor however pledged that even if the State could not draw down on the remaining 30billion naira fund which has again being approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, His government was working very hard to ensure that all arrears were paid by the end of December this year.

He similarly charged the newly appointed Grand Khadi to remain steadfast, commited in the performance of his duty while he assured him of the needed support to facilitate succes in the task ahead.

The Governor promised to provide a befiting office and also an increased subvention for his office in the coming months.

In his vote of thanks, Justice Abdulkareem Ajikoye Aruwa of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Kogi State expressed his deep and sincere appreciation to God almighty for being alive to witness such moment.

He also thanked the Governor, the Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly member Rt Honourable Mattew kolawole and other State House Member for their kind consideration and prompt approval.