SHUN CORRUPTION, INEPTITUDE, JUDGES WARNED
The Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, has advised the newly sworn-in new Grand Khadi for the state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Idris A. Haroon to shun corruption, ineptitude and indiscipline in the discharge of his duties.
Two Khadis of the Sharia Court and two justices of the state High Court were equally sworn-in at the ceremony, which took place yesterday at the Government House, Ilorin, the state capital.
Saraki stated that, the appointment of the new grand khadi and four other judges was a manifestation of the high esteem with which his administration holds quick dispensation of justice against 'the backdrop of the fact that justice delayed is justice denied.'
According to him, the empowerment of the judicial officers, improvement of the structures and infrastructure of the court complexes in the state would immensely aid the judiciary in the performance of its duties.
He added, 'today's occasion is therefore not a mere coincidence but a confirmation of our avowed commitment to bring justice to the doorsteps of the teeming population at all levels.'
The governor reminded the Grand khadi and other judges that their appointment were based on experience, track record of performance, dedication, professional competence and expertise, warning them to bring to bear the above in the discharge office assignments.
Saraki pointed out that 'in the last seven years of our tenure in Kwara State, one of our policies has been to jealously guard the principle of the independence of the judiciary. This is premised on the fact that the independence of the judiciary is pivotal to the survival of democracy. Consequently, this administration has done all within its powers to respect the sanctity of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.'
In his remarks, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Ali Ahmad, described the swearing in of the new Grand khadi and other four judges by the governor as another milestone in the history of the judiciary in the state.
He disclosed that the appointment of more judges was occasioned by the vacuum created in the judiciary by voluntary retirement of some judges in the state, thanking Governor Saraki for facilitating the replacement of the retired judges.
Ahmad added that the need for effective and quicker dispensation of justice was a burning issue that had continued to attract the state government's attention.
He announced that the government had given approval for the digitalization of recording of court proceedings to further aid quick dispensation of justice.
Responding on behalf of other judges, the Grand Khadi thanked the governor for considering them fit for appointment and assured him that they would not betray the confidence reposed in them.
Meanwhile, Governor Saraki also inaugurated members of the Justice Sector Reform Team which has the state's acting Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Kawu and other heads of agencies related with dispensation of justice in the state.
According to the governor, the committee was set up because of the noticeable gap between governmental efforts and justice delivery in the state.
He attributed the above to lack of coordination, monitoring and evaluation of activities in the judicial sector.