The Bauchi State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has advocated for improved welfare and working conditions for judges and judicial workers in the state
Mr Jubrin Sa’id, the state NBA Chairman, made the request during a courtesy visit to Bauchi Zonal Office on Friday in Bauchi.
He called for the rehabilitation of courtrooms throughout the state, claiming that some were dilapidated and unfit for human habitation.
The NBA chairman stated that if the government does not intervene to address the problem, the NBA will direct its members to vacate the affected courts.
“Recently, we took a tour of the courts in terms of physical infrastructure, wellbeing and condition of service of judges and other judicial personnel, however, the picture we had was a gory one and not encouraging.
“It is a sad reality of our court system and we have taken it up with the authorities. We are presenting a petition to the Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Umar and also the state governor.
“Some of the courts like the Shariah Court in Toro LGA, we are issuing ultimatum, and if at the end of it, nothing has been done, we are going to ask our members and the litigating public to stay away from that building because it is 100 per cent at deteriorating level.
“It is not fit for human habitation. We are working with the government towards resolving the problem,” he said.
He stated that the NBA had previously strengthened its ties with security agencies such as the Police, the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Nigeria Seand Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
“We found it necessary to also do the same with the media for a more conducive working environment in the state.
“Recently, we had two of our members who are also indigenes of Bauchi State elevated to the enviable rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“They are Mr Hassan El-Yakub and Mr Ishaq Magaji,” he said.
He said such collaboration would enhance access to justice service delivery and make positive impact in the society, especially when the country was going through a lot of transformations.
