Newly Appointed Niger State Chief Judge Declares Zero Tolerance For Corruption

The Niger State's newly appointed Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has declared zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices in the system.

Justice Abdulmalik made this known on Monday at her swearing-in as the 9th Chief Judge of the state, at the Council Chamber of the Government House Minna, the state capital.

Abdulmalik who served as a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Niger State between 2011-2022 until she was appointed the state Chief Judge, stated that her administration will not condole workers, lax attitude to work.

She assured that her leadership would streamline, automate and overhaul the entire judicial system for optimal results.

"I acknowledge that the task is daunting, enormous, and quite challenging. I, therefore, pledge in my honour that I will do my best and put the judiciary on a higher pedestal.

"I would operate with zero tolerance for corruption and would do away with the lackadaisical attitude of workers to work."

"I intend to overhaul the workings of the judiciary for the better, in this regard we have mapped out a strategic development plan to be executed on the short-term, medium-term, and long-term basis the essence is to fastrack our processes and ensure speedy quality dispensation of justice", she said.

While soliciting the support of her colleagues both on the bench and bar, the Chief Judge promised to carry everyone along and to recognize hard work as well as reward excellence.

The Chief Judge commended the Governor for appointing the highest number of judicial workers in the state and appealed to him to do more to the judiciary in the areas of their welfare, provision of more courts, and upgrading the existing ones.

On his part, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello restated his commitment and support for the judiciary for a review and turnaround of the system.

The Governor acknowledged the challenges faced by the Judiciary and assured of his full support for the new Chief Judge to succeed as he believe she can turn around the judicial system.

He added that the government was doing all it can to provide accommodation for Judges and an institutional house for Chief Judge, as he promised to complete the distribution of vehicles to Magistrates he had earlier started.

"Congratulations, I wish you well. I have absolute confidence in you and I am sure you are up to the task and will ensure the desired changes in the Judiciary," he said.

The Governor disclosed that since 2015 when he came on board he has done much for the judiciary and would not relent until the state gets the desired judicial system.