‘I am worried by the insults and curses citizens, particularly victims of subverted justice, who see us as being corrupt and biased, heap on us on a daily basis.’
By Mohammed Usman
Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, has cautioned Upper Shariah Court Judge, Abbas Mohammed of Kpakungu Minna, against professional misconduct, which she said contributed to the already dented image of the state’s judiciary.
The Chief Judge was reacting to the Shariah Court judge’s incarceration of a suspect in Correctional facility without any charge against him and also could not convincingly explain to her the offence committed by the suspect to warrant his incarceration.
Worried by the unjustifiable incarceration of the alleged suspect, Saidu Kodi, Abdulmalik warned that her regime as the Chief Judge would continue to use the instrumentality of the judiciary to hammer on any errant judicial officer using his or her office to abuse the downtrodden.
Her words: “I am worried by the insults and curses citizens, particularly victims of subverted justice, who see us as being corrupt and biased, heap on us on a daily basis. The judiciary is supposed to be the last hope of the common man, but can we ask ourselves, are we leaving up that expectations?” Justice Halima asked.
Also read: NECO explains rescheduling of 2023 NCEE
Justice Halima Abdulmalik said that days were gone when magistrates, judges and other judicial officers would use their offices to intimidate, harass and oppress the downtrodden and the masses as they no longer have hope in the judiciary because perpetrators would be made to pay penalty for their sins.
“People no longer have confidence in us. I will not accept that any longer”, she lamented and promised to use all the legal powers in her disposition and the laid-down procedures to deal with any judicial officer engaged in unprofessional conduct on the course of discharge of their duties.
valoa2000@yahoo.com
