Personality profile of Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak, the Newly sworn-in Chief Judge of Gombe State
By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak was sworn-in as the 3rd substantive Chief Judge of Gombe State on 1st April,2022 by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Justice Awak who started his working career as a National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC) member from 1983 to 1984 and later joined Bauchi State Government as Pupil State Counsel in 1984, was born on 5th October,1957 in Awak Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.
He attended Awak ECWA Transfer Primary School from 1965 to 1968, Government Secondary School, Kaltungo from 1972 to 1976 where he obtained his West African School Certificate.
He also was at the Bauchi State College of Arts and Science ( BACAS) from 1976 to 1987 for his IJMB.
The young and dynamic, Awak proceeded to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and graduated with LLB ( Hons) degree in 1982 and was also at the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies, Lagos in 1991 where he obtained his Certificate in Practice and Procedures.
He was appointed as Magistrate Grade II in 1985 and rose through the ranks to the post of Chief Magistrate Grade I in 1996.
In 1999 he was appointed as High Court Judge in Gombe State Judiciary.
Hon.Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak had served as Chairman, Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal, Gombe State in 2001, Member National Assembly Election Tribunal in 2007 and 2008 at Zamfara and Kano states, respectively.
He also served as Member Governorship Election Tribunal, Kogi State in 2008.
Justice Awak attended several capacity and development workshops, seminars and conferences both within and outside the country.
Until his present appointment, he served as the Acting Chief Judge of Gombe State from 2nd January before his confirmation of the appointment by the State House of Assembly and swearing in on Friday.
He is married and blessed with beautiful children and his hobbies include; reading and travelling.
Meanwhile, during the swearing in ceremony at the Banquet Hall Government House Gombe, the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya congratulated Hon. Justice Joseph
Ahmed Awak for being found worthy to serve the state and country in the important capacity as the Chief Judge
According to Governor Yahaya, Justice Awak occupied the exalted office in acting capacity from 2nd January 2022 following the retirement of the former Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Mu’azu A. Pindiga.
” Following the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission on the 16th of March 2022, as required by the Constitution, I approved the appointment of Justice Joseph A. Awak as the substantive Head of the State High Court of Justice and ratified by the Honorable members of the Gombe State house of assembly.
“Hon. Justice Joseph A. Awak is well known for his sterling qualities befitting of a top-ranking judicial officer. Thus his appointment as the Chief Judge of the state is a culmination of many years of meritorious and selfless service to the Judicial Arm of Government not just in Gombe State but also the federation as a whole. I have no doubt in my mind that he will discharge his duties in this new role with utmost commitment and integrity as he has always done for the benefit of our dear State.”
He said the importance of having judicial officers with high levels of experience and moral rectitude at this moment of the national history cannot be over- emphasised, at the seasons that unbridled corruption, violent crimes and numerous other forms of criminal behaviours have bedevilled the nation, making it extremely difficult, if not completely impossible, to meet the development aspirations and consolidate the constitutional democracy.
“The myriad of challenges facing our dear nation cannot be tamed without ensuring swift, sure, and fair administration of justice. It therefore goes without saying that we require an incorruptible judiciary where justice shall be dispensed to all manner of people in the State without discrimination, fear or favour,” he added.
The Governor said to facilitate the proper functioning of the Judicial Arm of Government, his administration has placed emphasis on having a harmonious working relationship with the Judiciary, adding his administration will continue to support the Judiciary and Legislature in discharging their statutory responsibilities effectively for the overall benefit of the people of Gombe State.
