By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto
The remodelled Sokoto state High Court of Justice Complex that has been in existence since 45 years ago is unequalled in the country.
Delivering a speech during the commissioning, the Minster of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami said “You will recall that when Governor Tambuwal’s administration commenced in 2015, the State High Court was in an obsolete state of disrepair undeserving to be reckoned with as a temple of justice, hence the effort in remodeling our famous Sokoto State High Court of Justice and the turn-around we are witnessing today.
Therefore permit to commend this giant stride and vision of His Excellency in establishing this edifice which is among the best in the country, and this has fulfilled the saying that justice must not only be said to be done, but must be seen to be done and dispensed in a conducive atmosphere.
As a true Democrat, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has without mincing words, demonstrated his support to the on-going Federal Government drive for judicial autonomy/independence by commencing and completing the remodeling of this giant architectural structure that is now a cynosure of all eyes, which as well stands out as a clear manifestation of dividends of democracy in Sokoto State.
As a renowned Legal Practitioner and active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) who have served the Nigerian Bar in diverse positions, and as a consummate former law maker and Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, the revolutionary strides being played out in remodeling the Sokoto State High Court complex and in activating and paving way for independence of the Judiciary in Sokoto State is not by any stretch of imagination surprising. The Good people of Sokoto State must therefore be grateful to His Excellency the Governor.
I am therefore optimistic that with an ultramodern court complex furnished with state-of-the-art equipment both in the offices and court rooms, the business of the judiciary in Sokoto State in dispensing justice has been given an uplifted booster in the state.
Similarly, it is pertinent to note that the National Assembly through the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution granted financial autonomy, through Section 121(3) of the Constitution to the Judiciary and Legislature at the State level, in order to strengthen these critical arms of Nigerian Government at the State level, in view of the obvious challenges confronting them. In furtherance of the alteration, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, in March 2019 inaugurated the Presidential Implementation Committee on Autonomy of the State Legislature and State Judiciary. It is gladdening to note that the outcome of that Committee’s work has gained for the country the execution and emergence Executive Order 10, for the implementation of the financial autonomy of the State level Legislature and Judiciary arms of the government.
The essence is the birth of jurisprudential value that guard against manifest violation of our Constitutional sacred provisions that guaranty independence of the judiciary and financial autonomy of the legislature and the judiciary in all forms of Nigerian Government.
As the Judiciary remains a strong catalyst to our modern day democracy, great efforts towards the protection of our democratic principles, such as the enforcement of rules of law, promotion of checks-and-balances, preservation of the principles of separation of powers, and proactive judicial activisms become the bedrocks for sustainable democracy.
As you all know, for there to be sustenance of democracy through effective administration of Justice, Judges as the defenders of social justice and Lords of our judicial realm, as well as other judicial staff must be adequately taken care of by way of enhanced emolument and welfare packages, to enable them dispense justice at all times, without fear or favour, in an independent manner.
Regarding the welfare package of our noble judicial officers, I must make reference to the Presidential mandate given in that regard, and I am glad to inform that several meetings have been held, as a result of which the Committee on the Review of Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service was constituted to ensure that welfare of our judicial officers reflect current realities of our time. I am to assure this noble gathering that the efforts of the Committee will soon materialize for the good of our dear judicial officers and our country.
Therefore, it is our concomitant wish that for all time to come in this Temple of Justice truth and righteousness shall prevail, that justice be done between man and man and dispensed without fear, or favour, and that freedom and rights of man be maintained and defended.
Your Excellency, My Lords, Distinguished Invitees, Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to seize this opportunity to eulogize His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, for the huge sums of money spent and the supervisory roles played in bringing to reality the modernized Sokoto State High Court complex, which constitutes an additional efforts of stabilizing the Sokoto State Judiciary as a transformed and independent judiciary. The Sokoto State arm of Nigerian Judiciary therefore owe the good people of Sokoto State a sacred duty to remain impartial, unbiased and resilient in all its judicial dealings and in upholding the cause of justice at all times.
As Seat of the Caliphate is blessed with proficient and hard working judges, the coming into place of this remodeled court complex will certainly add momentum and vigor to the strength and will of doing justice in most convenient environment. This goes to establish the concerns of the Sokoto State Governor for the provision of conducive environment and infrastructural development to all Judiciary. Indeed the gesture is logically intended to extend to other judicial institutions inclusive of the Shari’ah Courts of Appeal and Magistrates”.
In conclusion, I thanked the Executive Governor of Sokoto State once more for his kind invitation to commission this architecturally remodeled Sokoto State High Court of Justice complex and the organizers of this event.
The Minister looked forward with passion to an independent and autonomous Sokoto State Judiciary for a greater attainment of democratic principles and for effective and efficient administration of justice in Sokoto State and in Nigeria at large.
With honour to formally commission/open this ultra-modern High Court Complex to the glory of God, he thanked all for attention praying God continue to bless and preserve the good people and Government of Sokoto State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
