By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has sworn in seven High Court judges and seven Khadis for the Sharia Court of Appeal, urging them to uphold the highest standards of conduct to ensure transparency, integrity, and respect for the judiciary.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Gov. Aliyu charged the judicial officers to exhibit patience, dignity, and courtesy when dealing with litigants, witnesses, and legal officers, while ensuring the full rights of hearing are granted in line with the law and court rules.
“You are to avoid abuse of the powers of your offices, maintain order and decorum, promptly dispose of cases, and abstain from commenting on pending or impending cases before the courts,” the governor stated.
Gov. Aliyu also cautioned the newly sworn-in judges and Khadis against allowing family members to influence their judicial conduct or decisions. He warned them against using their positions for personal gain, emphasizing that the judiciary must remain a symbol of fairness and impartiality.
He commended the Sokoto judiciary for its exemplary record, noting that no member of the state’s judiciary has ever been found guilty of corruption. “I want to remind the newly appointed judges and Khadis to shun corruption in the discharge of their duties. The NJC, anti-graft agencies, and the state government are watching,” he warned.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to respecting the rule of law, judicial independence, and the welfare of judicial officers. He highlighted that since the inception of his administration, all needs of the judiciary have been promptly attended to.
Gov. Aliyu disclosed that the state government has approved the construction of an additional complex for the State High Court and the renovation of the Sharia Court of Appeal complex to ensure a conducive working environment for judicial officers.
He further revealed that new vehicles have been approved for the newly appointed judges and Khadis, along with addressing deficits left by the previous administration.
The seven High Court judges sworn in are:
– Mariya Haruna Dagon Daji
– Hadiza Sahabi Jaredi
– Shuaibu Ahmed
– Fatima Hassan
– Fatima Saidu Muhammed
– Nura Muhammad Bello
– Abubakar Moyi
The Khadis sworn in include:
– Abdulaziz Muhammad Yar Abba
– Abubakar Lawal
– Ibrahim Bello Sokoto
– Bello Iman Abubakar
– Lawal Muhammad Abibu
– Umar Ibrahim Bodinga
– Umar Kabir Marnona
Gov. Aliyu concluded by assuring the judiciary of his administration’s unwavering support to strengthen justice delivery in the state.
