Courts
By Thompson Charlie
Pankshin (Plateau) May 9, 2018 (NAN) Mr Yakubu Dakwak, Plateau Chief Judge (CJ) on Wednesday chided Local Government Chairmen for failing to rehabilitate dilapidated courts in their areas.
The CJ bared his mind while on a courtesy call on Mrs Naomi Golmwen, Chairman Pankshin Local Government, as part of his tour of courts across the state, especially those in the hinterland which has been in very bad shapes due lack of maintenance.
“The Courts are for the good of our people at the grassroots; they remain in bad shape because of negligence by council bosses who are supposed to compliment state government efforts at maintaining these courts.
“As LG bosses you people are supposed to look the way of the courts and see how your can assist at ensuring the environment in which our judges, magistrates and other judicial staff work is very conducive for dispensation of justice, ’’ he said.
He said that the dilapidated condition of the Pankshin High Court and Upper Area Court was unacceptable and tasked the council to assist in saving the situation.
According to him, “for these courts to remain unfenced with members of immediate communities encroaching is very bad and unfortunate.’’
Dakwak called on the chairman to rise to the challenge to help in that line, as well as assist in providing accommodation for the judicial staff posted to Pankshin.
Responding, Golmwen, pledged to assist in fencing the court premises and provide accommodation for the judicial staff when the financial status of the council improves.
“I am touched by the condition of our courts, but I don’t want to just promise and fail but to be honest, when our financial condition improves, we will look into the fencing and accommodation for the judicial staff.”
She said, “We also want to plead with you to consider employing our subjects to fill vacancies at Tal and Kadunung Courts, which we learnt are under staffed.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CJ took three days to visit all the courts in the Southern and Central Zones of the state to assess their conditions for immediate action.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the courts condition and the environment at which judicial staff work with a pledge to do something to renovate and rehabilitate them for better dispensation of justice. (NAN)
TYC/MZA
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed