The new Chief Judge of Niger state, Justice Aisha Bawa Bwari, has been sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Niger state.

Justice Bwari on Friday replaces Justice Aliyu Muhammad Mayaki who has proceeded on retirement.

In a remark, Governor Abubaker Sani Bello restated the determination of his administration towards implementation of the autonomy of the judiciary.

He said, “Partial implementation of the financial autonomy of the Judiciary has started in the state since the inception of my administration. I do not have problem with it in the state.”

He also promised to continue the rehabilitation of courts in the state especially those of magistrates in rural areas, adding that more attention would be given to the welfare of judges.

Governor Bello also said the Ministry of Finance had been directed to procure vehicles for judges and magistrates to enhance justice administration.

In a valedictory address, the retiring Chief Judge Mayaki expressed appreciation to the executive arm of government for the upliftment of the judiciary, saying that lots of infrastructure development and training of staff of judiciary had been in progress.

“We remain grateful for the partial autonomy granted to the Judiciary and I call on your Excellency to fulfil your pledge by granting total financial autonomy to the judiciary in accordance with enabling laws,” he said.

He called on government to appoint more high court judges towards solving the problem of work overload on judiciary officials, adding that the state “needs 20 high judges as against the current 13 judges.”

In her acceptance speech, the new acting judge Bwari promised to build on the legacies of her predecessor in moving the judiciary forward.

The BluePrint