H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG SWEARS IN PRESIDENT PLATEAU STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL AND NEW JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT/CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL

REMARKS BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG AT THE SWEARING IN OF THE PRESIDENT, PLATEAU STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL AND NEW JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT/CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL HELD AT THE NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE, LITTLE RAYFIELD JOS, 29TH JANUARY 2021.

This is yet another important day in the history of Plateau State and its judiciary as we inject more Judges into the Temple of Justice to enhance the administration of justice to the citizens.

It therefore delights me to perform this crucial responsibility in swearing-in the substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal Hon. Justice Sati Patrick Dapit who has been acting since July last year.

Similarly, we are swearing in newly appointed Judges of the High Court and Customary Court of Appeal of Plateau State. These appointments are intended to respond to the inadequacy of Judicial Officers at these Courts. 

I congratulate the President of the Customary Court of Appeal and the new Judges namely, Hon. Justice Naankwat Dawat Shaseet; Buetnaan Mandy Dongban Bassi, (Plateau State High Court) Pauline Nanlep Njar, Edwin Sati Munlang, and Georgina Dashe (Customary Court of Appeal).

It is a known fact that over time, our Courts have struggled with shortage of man-power and high case load which has greatly affected their ability to dispense with cases on time. In 2020 alone, three Judicial Officers retired, two at the Customary Court of Appeal and one at the High Court, thus creating vacancies apart from the already overburdened Courts.

Such development necessitated the efforts to fill these vacancies by the National Judicial Council to enable the judiciary deal with the backlog of cases including those returned by the retired Judges of the various Courts. 

Today’s swearing in of these new judges is therefore a positive development as it will close the gap and improve access to Justice by all citizens and indeed all those who seek justice in Plateau State.

Our administration is totally committed to the rule of law and in ensuring that the Judiciary operates in a manner that guarantees equity, Justice and fairness to the citizens of the State irrespective of their ethnic, economic, religious, political and other orientations.  

I charge the new judges to ensure that they live up to their oath of office in dispensing justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. That is the only way we can sustain the fabric of our society which we have chosen to predicate on the Rule of Law with guarantee of equal treatment for citizens. 

Therefore, I advise you to be mindful of the attempts to compromise your integrity and impartiality by people who will approach you with tempting proposals of all sorts. As those who have the rare privilege to determine the fate of people that appear before you, be careful not to abuse this precious trust.

In as much as you have this privilege, you should also realise that you are not above reproach and can be held responsible for your actions by both man and God.  Therefore, I advise you to strive to write your name in Gold by abiding to the ethos of your professional calling at all times during your career.

Government is very much aware that even with the swearing-in of these new Judges of the High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal, the issue of insufficient number of Judges in our Courts is yet to be resolved. We shall continue to make conscious efforts to address the situation. 

As much as we expect Judicial Officers to do their best and be upright, it is our responsibility to ensure that we make them comfortable by providing at least the basic requirements for them to perform their functions.

In this regard, despite dwindling resources available to Government on account of falling oil revenues and dwindling IGR occasioned by the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, we shall continue to do our best in providing office accommodation and other equipment that will facilitate smooth operations. The new Judges sworn in will receive keys to their official cars today.

Despite the challenges which have delayed the completion of the new High Court Headquarters Complex, we are determined to complete the facility as soon as possible and by God’s grace before the end of our tenure. It is also our intention to give other Court Buildings in the State the much needed face-lift to improve the working conditions of Judges.

As a member of the revered Legal Profession, I have always considered the welfare of Judges to be very paramount and have done my best to address issues in that area since assuming office. Shortly after coming to office, this administration settled 2 years arrears of Judge’s entitlements for 2013 and 2014 that were inherited from the immediate past administration alongside the  about 8 Months arrears of unpaid Civil Servants Salaries.

Thereafter, in the face of excruciating paucity of funds, we have continued to within available resources, address the payment of other statutory allowances accruing to Judges of all Courts. As at today, all accrued arrears of housing allowances of superior Court Judges, on account of which some Judges took the State Government to court have  been paid. 

In order to build the capacity of the Judiciary, we have always approved requests for training of Judicial Officers, particularly Judges within and outside the Country even in face of lean resources of Government. We hope to sustain this initiative so that our judges will keep abreast with contemporary developments in their profession.

We are also mindful of the need for the judiciary to have a strong workforce which was why despite the fact that the State has not lifted the Ban on employment, Government granted approval for the Judiciary to recruit over 200 Staff including relevant support Staff.

Because of the desire to see that the three arms of Government in Plateau State operate in a truly independent manner, we have already established the State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) laying ground work for the implementation of financial autonomy. 

This we have done despite the fact that formal discussions on modalities for implementing Financial Autonomy at the Federal and State levels are yet to be concluded and the judiciary is being carried along in this process.

It is important that I touch on some of these issues in order to reiterate the fact that this administration under my Leadership has deep respect and passion for the Judiciary which is my primary constituency as a Lawyer. 

Therefore, some of the insinuations out there suggesting that the Governor does not care about the welfare of Judges or is denying them their entitlements are incorrect and should be discountenanced. I want to re-assure the judiciary of my personal commitment to the welfare and well-being of our Judges and indeed all Judicial Staff. Despite the major challenge of lean financial resources of the State worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Government is still very committed to addressing all obligations to this very important arm of Government. All outstanding allowances shall be paid as soon as resources are available.

Let me also use this opportunity to touch on the issue of security which as you know remains the first priority of our administration. We have continued to pay attention to the security of lives and property by adopting various measures to foster peaceful coexistence and also deal with crime and criminality.

The incidences of kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes in some parts of Plateau State have constituted a major concern for the government and our citizens in recent times. The Government is working hard with the security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the ugly incidences are tackled. 

That is why last month, I signed into law the Anti-kidnapping, Land grabbing, Cultism and Violence-Related Matters Bill that was passed by the State House of Assembly. By that law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau State will be sentenced to death while cultism and other violent crimes attract various terms of imprisonment.

When I met with stakeholders recently, concerns were raised about prosecution of suspects who are arrested for kidnapping. Some of them we understand do not get to be arraigned as and when due and even get released without charge despite evidence tendered to law enforcement agents. That perhaps emboldens the continuous onslaught on the citizens by kidnappers.

While we are addressing the issue with the police relating to arrest, investigation and prosecution, I want to appeal to our Judges to be very firm in trying such Cases when brought before them as Kidnapping is fast becoming an Industry with no one immune from the menace. 

As Governor, I have promised to sign the Death Warrant in respect of anyone convicted of kidnapping which is giving our people sleepless nights, driving away prospective Investors and further impoverishing our people. Many of them are forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of loved ones which is making people afraid to pursue their legitimate businesses including farming. 

Finally, I commend the Plateau State Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council for facilitating the confirmation of the appointment of President, Customary Court of Appeal Hon. Justice Sati Patrick Dapit and these new judges. 

To the new judges, I charge all of you to count this as a rare privilege to serve God and humanity. Do not abuse it or throw it away even if you are promised silver and gold. Like the Bible tells us, a good name is better than riches.

33. Thank you and God bless Plateau state and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG,

Executive Governor, Plateau State. 

29th  January 2021.

Photo Josiah Jenvulu