Bauchi governor promises financial autonomy for state judiciary

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, has promised to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary in the state.

He said this on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony of Mohammed Abubakar, as the acting chief judge (grand kadi) of the state sharia court.

Abubakar replaced Dahiru Ningi, whose tenure came to an end on April 6.

Speaking at the ceremony, the governor said his administration is ready to grant autonomy to the judiciary to enable them dispense justice, adding that judiciary is the last hope for the common man.

“The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and it is not only the common man, it is the last hope of Bala Mohammed, because I have derived succour and solace in the judiciary,” he was quoted to have said by NAN.

“I am always ready to go by their tradition, because it is predicated on justice and equity.

“We, in the executive, are ready to give you your autonomy; we are ready to give you your respect, we are ready to clear latitude and leverage, so that you will be able to dispense justice.”

Mohammad urged the newly sworn-in acting chief judge of the state sharia court to achieve positive impact in the state judiciary, while commending the harmonious relationship among the three arms of government in the state.

“I know you are going to have a very little stint, but it does not matter how long you stay, but how well you stay and how much you impact,” he said.

”I call on the judges to ensure that verdicts are quickly made in criminal cases in order to enhance the issues of reward and punishment in the state.”