TheCable

Muhammadu Bello, chief judge of Kaduna, says the judicial arm of government has received more support under the executive leadership of Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state.

The CJ spoke during the swearing-in of four new khadis at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, the state capital, on Friday.

The four new khadis include Muhammad Aminu Danjuma, Mustapha Umar, Muhammad Tukur Rashid and Muhammad Nasir Sidi.

Bello commended el-Rufai for the support his administration has been giving the judiciary, saying the governor had earlier sworn in four high court judges in June.

He said el-Rufai’s administration is the first to provide vehicles to high court judges since 1995.

In his remarks, the governor said the Sharia court of appeal has not been functioning because the National Judicial Council (NJC) is yet to appoint new khadis to replace those who retired.

He lamented the shortage of judges in Kaduna, describing the delay in appointment of judges by NJC as dysfunctional.

According to el-Rufai, a state high court judge handles an average of 250 cases, a situation which he described as placing judicial officers under undue pressure.

He recommended a review of the constitution to allow for speedy administration of justice and closure on cases.