Kogi judiciary swells as State Customary Court of Appeal, High Court get four new judges »

Kogi State Government has added two new judges each for the State Customary Court of Appeal and High Courts to expedite process of legal service delivery to the people of the state.

The new judicial officers are Barrister Bamidele Rotimi Aina and Barr Aishat Uwani Mohammed who are now judges in the State High court while Barrister Jibril Isah Anaja and Barrister Levi Nda Animoku have been appointed as justices in the State Customary Court of Appeal.

In his address shortly after swearing in the new judges, the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello charged them to justify the confidence he has in them by ensuring swift adjudication of cases.

The Governor said his administration was making efforts to make access to legal redresses easy for all Kogites, noting that the new justices were duly recommended by the National Judicial Council and he made the appointment pursuant to section 270 (2), section 271 (2 and 3) and section 281 (2) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

“By their swearing in today, they have become critical pillars of the administration of justice in Kogi State,” the Governor noted.

According to him, his government has made the unity of the state his priority, hence the need for the three arms of government to work harmoniously, saying it was necessary to commit to mutual respect for the independent, principles and rules of the three arms of government for the continuous unity of the state in the discharge of their duties.

He promised to continue to add quality manpower to bench of Kogi’s judiciary, adding that it remained overworked, just like judiciary in all parts of the country, but that as resources improved, he would continue to search out quality minds to the judiciary.

Governor Bello the office of Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission (PDCRC) was created by his government to ensure mechanisms were put in place to provide quality justice system for the state, adding that PDCRV has been able to provide free legal services to some helpless people for free.

He therefore urged the people of the state to take advantage of the commission and ensure they get legal redresses for free as the rights of citizens of the country which are being violated was no longer something to be tolerated.

The Governor therefore enjoined the new justices to use their new roles to ensure access to swift legal services and provide fair and just pronouncements.

Earlier in his opening address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Henry Olusiyi who described Governor Bello as a judiciary friendly Governor, applauded the swiftness with which he gave the nod for the swearing in of the new justices immediately their recommendations were approved by the NJC.