Legal Year: Gov Mohammed urges judiciary to expedite action on trial of criminals

By Nimake Earland, Bauchi

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi state on Tuesday has called on the judiciary in the state to expedite action on the trial of criminals especially those related to rape, banditry, murder and kidnapping.

The governor was speaking at the 2020/201 Legal Year held at the High Court Complex in Bauchi.

Governor Bala Mohammed observed that, speedy trial will help in curtailing the nefarious activities of these criminals not only in the state, but across the country.

The governor who appreciated the performance of the judiciary in the state in the area of speedy disposal of cases within the last legal year having disposed of about 2/3 of the cases filled, noted that, that will enhance the confidence of the common people in the judiciary.

He said his administration has passed into law, the Violence Against Persons Protection (VAPP) Bill, adding that, under his watch, criminals who derive pleasure by putting the young ones and their parents through agony will not go scot free.

“Since my assumption to office on the 29th of May, 2019, I made a decision to operate an open door policy of an all inclusive government anchored on transparency, rule of law, accountability and good governance.”

“To achieve that, I carried along other Arms of Government by collaborating and cooperating with them while recognizing and respecting their independence as enshrined under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

According to him, the judiciary being a non-elective Arm of Government remained the stabilizing factor in a democracy and needs understanding, cooperation and support of other Arms of Government.

“Due to my avowed believed in Justice, fair play, rule of law and independence of the judiciary, I am doing everything humanly possible within the limited resources available to provide conductive atmosphere for the judiciary to function effectively and efficiently in accordance with the international best practices.”

Governor Bala Mohammed told the gathering that, during the year under review, he strived and fulfilled all the promises made to the judiciary during the last legal year ceremony notably the completion of the second phase High Court Complex of 8 Courts, Judges Chambers, Registrar’s Office, Court Cells and other offices.