Banditry Has led To The Closure Of Four Magistrate Courts And Eleven Shari’a courts, According To Niger’s Chief Justice, Abdulmalik.

Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, the Chief Justice of Niger State, revealed that the activities of armed bandits have led to the forced closure of four magistrate courts and 11 Sharia courts in the state…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

She made this statement during a special court session in Minna, marking the start of the 2023/2024 legal year for the state high court.

The Chief Justice recalled a specific incident where bandits abducted the Registrar of Sharia Court, Ibbi, Mallam Mohammad Namaru.

According to her, gunmen kidnapped the registrar on April 11, 2023, taking him to an undisclosed location where he was later killed by his abductors.

In an emotional plea, Abdulmalik called on the state government to support the deceased registrar’s children by offering them scholarships for their education.

She emphasized that doing so would serve as an encouragement for the judiciary to continue its service without reservations.

The Chief Justice also highlighted various initiatives undertaken during the past year, including significant reforms and extensive renovations of five magistrate courts and six offices within the high court complex in Minna, all of which were carried out despite financial constraints.

Barrister Nasir Muazu, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, acknowledged the legal community’s resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

He noted that this period prompted the legal community to adopt technology, virtual courtrooms, and remote legal proceedings.