The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been warned by the governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, to call any of its members who have a history of collaborating with armed robbers, rapists, bandits, and other criminal groups to order.
The governor gave the warning on Tuesday at the Katsina Government House Council Chamber shortly after he swore in four new High Court Judges as part of measures to strengthen the legal system and justice delivery speed in the State.
He asserted that the majority of NBA members conceal themselves in order to secure the release of suspects by using the tool of fundamental human rights.
Radda claims there have been numerous instances where alleged terrorists, armed robbers, rapists, and bandits have been granted bail only to go on and commit their original crimes after they were released.
The newly sworn in High Court Judges are Barrister Nuraddeen Abdulmumini, Barrister Halima Lawal Bagiwa, Barrister Abdullahi Bara’u, and Barrister Ma’aruf Amiru Sanusi.
The newly sworn-in judges drawn from Musawa, Katsina, Faskari, and Funtua local government areas of the state are, according to the governor, individuals with track records, dedication, and integrity and have been confirmed through the rigorous competitive, and painstaking process that led to their appointments.
He, therefore, charged them to take advantage of technology to improve justice delivery to the state.
“The overriding objective is to strengthen the legal system to deliver justice. There is an adage saying ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ and this has been of concern to the government.
“Thus there’s an urgent need to address the speed of justice delivery among all stakeholders in the state justice sector of the State.”
“We are in a time of serious security challenges in the State. We must therefore put our heads together and avert these unusual challenges.
“Katsina State Government is disturbed with the attitudes of justice sector actors in the State, to respond to this. We have given a matching order to the state administration of criminal justice to ensure that the ugly trend of releasing suspects on crimes is checked,” he added.
“A coordination committee has been set up to discharge its statutory mandate by ensuring that all criminal cases are handed with deserved dispatch.
“On our part, necessary improved logistics will be provided to the Ministry of Justice, police, and prison with the view of achieving the objective.
“It’s gratifying to note that, the just sworn-in high court judges are individuals with track records, dedication and integrity has confirmed through the rigorous competitive and painstaking process that led to their appointments.
“I urge you to consider your appointments as a call to duty that requires more dedication, professionalism, and above all fear of Almighty Allah.
“The society has very high expectations of you, integrity, transparency, and good conduct are qualities you must imbibe as judicial officeholders,” he stated.