By Tukura Matthew

Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has charged the judiciary to handle all cases before it with fairness, honesty and diligence.

The governor also tasked the new president of the Customary Court of Appeal, in Nasarawa State to chart a new direction for the court in the state and do everything possible to ensure the speedy dispensation of justice.

Governor Adamu threw the challenge at the swearing- in ceremony of the new president of the state’s, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Jibrin Idrisu, last week at the Government House, Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State .

The governor said the state government followed due constitutional process in appointing Justice Idrisu to the position, and that his administration ,since assumption of office in 1999, has been according the judicial arm of government its due respect and desired attention.

He noted that recently, the government, provided vehicles to the State High Court judges and revolving loans to magistrates, renovated court rooms across the state and built new court rooms, among others.

The governor who stated his administration’s readiness to do more for the judiciary especially in the area of appointment of additional high court judges for the state, commended Justice Idris for his high profile qualities and good track records which led to his appointment.

Responding after being sworn in by the state Chief Judge, Justice Ahmed Ubangari, the new president of the state customary court of appeal thanked governor Adamu for finding him worthy of the appointment and assured all who attended the occasion that he would not turn his "appointment to disappointment".

Justice Idrisu further said he would face the challenge of restoring the glory of the court in the minds of the people. He promised to publish the customs of the people of Nasarawa State with a view to making the document serve as a reference point for law students and judges of the customary court.

The swearing- in ceremony was attended by many dignitaries among who were members of the state executive council, local government and development areas chairmen, traditional rulers and members of the state judiciary.

Meanwhile, Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has called on communities in the state who have pending litigations over their traditional institutions to consider withdrawing the cases from courts and follow the traditional methods to settle their conflicts.

Governor Adamu said government was disturbed with litigations that have engulfed some chiefdoms in the state.

Said he: "This development is alien to our traditions and customs, especially in this part of the country".

Governor Adamu stated this in Shabu, headquarters of Lafia North Development Area last week at the official installation and presentation of third class staff of office to His Royal Highness, the Sangarin Shabu Alhaji Mahmud Umar Bako Bwallah II.

He advised communities with such court cases to withdraw them and use traditional methods of conflict resolution to address their disagreements.

The governor said Shabu, as the gateway to Lafia, the state capital, has a strategic role to play in the development of the state and called on the people of the development area to rise to the challenge.

Governor Adamu made a clarion call at the occasion for the people of the state to engage themselves in agriculture in order to boost food production in the state.

In a vote of thanks, the Sangari, Alhaji Mahmud Umar Bako Bwallah II, commended Governor Adamu for the developmental effort of his administration.

He, however, appealed to the state government to upgrade Shabu primary health care centre to a cottage hospital, renovate the borehole in the area which was abandoned for more than 20 years now and convert the Government Secondary School, Shabu, into a boarding school.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of Lafia North Development Area, Alhaji Murtala Muhammed, thanked governor Adamu for al that he has done for the sons and daughters of the development area, especially in terms of appointments into key public offices in the state.

Nigerian Newsday, July 19, 2006