Lokoja
The Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah, has urged judges and other judicial officers in the state to keep abreast with new developments in law and spice their decisions and judgments with up-to-date legal knowledge.
Ajanah gave the advice while inaugurating 21 newly appointed Magistrates and Area Court Judges at the the state High Court Complex on Monday in Lokoja.
Ajanah who reminded the new appointee judicial officers that administration of Justice required proactivity and diligence, urged them to ensure they update their knowledge and make their decisions in line with modern trends.
The chief judge said: “The Administration of Justice needs lower court judges that are proactive and diligent in their duties. Watch the case flow in your courts and ensure you have return on cases that are commendable.
“This is so because majority of cases, or more than 50 per cent of cases in the Judiciary first go to the lower courts.
“As a lower Court Judge, you need to exhibit courage, patience, knowledge, wisdom and integrity. These virtues will guide you in your judicial career.
“Your judicial temperament is key. It is your ability to apply the law to the facts and to understand how a judicial decision will affect human beings appearing before your court.”
Ajanah said the appointment of the nine Magistrates and 12 Area Court Judges was based on merit, adding that they went through rigorous process of selection at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) before being trusted with their new responsibility.
“The Kogi State Judiciary has zero-tolerance for corruption. Your integrity is your number one asset in this task. Like Caesar’s wife, you must be board,”he added.
The Chief Judge, however, cautioned family and friends of the appointees to allow them do their jobs without putting undue pressure on them to flout their judicial Oath.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Usman Enesi, one of the newly appointed magistrates, thanked the Almighty God and theJudiciary for finding them worthy for their appointment and promised that they would not to betray the confidence reposed in them.
The new Magistrates include Enesi, Khadijat Kassim, Ugbedeojo Susan, Ajibola Sunday, Abdullahi Iliyasu, Ogido Hannah Ize, Tosin Orunmbe, Olusola Seen and David Ojomah while the Area Court Judges incl.ude Abubakar Dauda and Isah Ozavize.
Others are: Ogunlaiye Emmanuel, Owonibi Olayemi, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, Fadamijo Praise, Shuaibu Abdulganiyu, Isah Oyiza, Mohammed Abubakar, Edijo Daniel, Suleiman Ada and Ahmed Khadijat O.
Duaglobalnews reports that the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Mr Abel Enefola, had earlier administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the new judicial officers