Gov Yahaya swears in Halima Mohammed as Chief Judge
By Ben Ngwakwe Gombe
The New Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Halima Sadiyya Mohammed, has been sworn-in as the substantive Chief Judge of Gombe State.
While congratulating Mohammed for being found worthy to serve the state and country in this important capacity as the Chief Judge, the Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said it was indeed another joyful and historic moment seeing a woman leader take the Oath of Office as the new head of the Judiciary arm of Government in Gombe State.
Speaking at the swearing- in of a new Chief Judge on Thursday in Gombe, the Governor explained that she occupied the exalted office in acting capacity since October 2022, following the retirement of the former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak.
Our correspondent reports that the ceremony of the Chief Judge was made possible following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council on the 23rd of January 2023, as required by the Constitution which approved the appointment of Justice Mohammed, as the substantive Head of the State High Court of Justice and ratified by the members of the Gombe State House of Assembly.
The Governor noted that Justice Mohammed is a woman of redoubtable legal expertise, outstanding experience, strong character, and remarkable integrity, who would continue to serve as source of inspiration to women especially girl child.
“As an experienced jurist, I have no doubt that she has what it takes to impact positively on the administration of justice in Gombe State. It is our belief that she will discharge her duties in this new role with utmost commitment and integrity, as she has always done for the benefit of our dear State.
“The importance of having such judicial officers with high levels of experience and moral rectitude at this moment in our national history cannot be over emphasized. It is undeniable that unbridled corruption, violent crimes and numerous other forms of criminal behaviours have bedevilled our nation, making it extremely difficult, if not completely impossible, to meet our development aspirations and consolidate our constitutional democracy,” Yahaya said.
According to him, the challenges facing the nation would not be tamed without ensuring swift, sure, and fair administration of justice and therefore.
He said, “It 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.
“To facilitate the proper functioning of the Judicial Arm of Government, our administration has placed emphasis on having a harmonious working relationship with the Judiciary. Since inception, the three arms of Government have been partnering in the development of our dear State. Needless to say that this unity and harmony must be maintained going forward, as our unity is our major source of strength.”
This administration, he said, would continue to support the Judiciary and Legislature in discharging their statutory responsibilities effectively for the overall benefit of the good people of Gombe State and he assured the entire members of the Judiciary that they would continue to make available all necessary facilities and funding for the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.
This administration, Yahaya emphasised, would continue doing better in order to ensure that the people enjoy more and more dividends of democracy, stressing that their achievements in human capital and socioeconomic development across the state are evidently clear for everyone’s notice, promising to do more for the State in 2023 and beyond.
He finally expressed appreciation to Speaker and members of the Gombe State House of Assembly, and the Judicial Service Commission for the consideration and the appointment of the new Chief Judge of Gombe State, while wishing Mohammed, “God’s guidance in the course of her duty as the Chief Judge of the state,” the governor added.