Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has vowed to sign the death warrant for anyone convicted for kidnapping in the State.
Governor Lalong stated this on Friday 29th January 2021 when he swore in the substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal Bar. Sati Patrick Dapit and five judges of the State high court and Customary Court of Appeal at the Government House Rayfield Jos.
At the event witnessed by the President Court of Appeal
Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Lalong who described as worrisome the incidences
of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State frowned at the situation
where suspected kidnappers who are arrested are not prosecuted as and when due
and in some cases released without charge.
He said “This situation perhaps emboldens the continuous
onslaught on the citizens by kidnappers. While we are addressing the issue with
the police relating to arrest, investigation and prosecution, I want to appeal
to our Judges to be very firm in trying such Cases when brought before them as
Kidnapping is fast becoming an Industry with no one immune from the menace. As
Governor, I have promised to sign the Death Warrant in respect of anyone
convicted of kidnapping which is giving our people sleepless nights, driving
away prospective Investors and further impoverishing our people. Many of them
are forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of loved ones which is making
people afraid to pursue their legitimate businesses including farming”.
To the new Judges, the Governor charged them to be faithful
to their oath of office and consider their appointments as a call to serve God
and humanity which should make them work faithfully and diligently.
“I advise you to be
mindful of the attempts to compromise your integrity and impartiality by people
who will approach you with tempting proposals of all sorts. As those who have
the rare privilege to determine the fate of people that appear before you, be
careful not to abuse this precious trust. In as much as you have this
privilege, you should also realise that you are not above reproach and can be
held responsible for your actions by both man and God. Therefore, I advise you to strive to write
your name in Gold by abiding to the ethos of your professional calling at all
times during your career” he said.
Lalong also used the opportunity to debunk the insinuation
that his administration is not paying attention to the judiciary, a claim that
he said is unfounded as his government has done so much for the judicial arm
since coming to office despite the paucity of funds.
Lalong listed some of the interventions to the judiciary to
include: Construction of the new High Court Headquarters Complex; settlement of
inherited 2 years arrears of Judge’s entitlements for 2013 and 2014; approval
for training of Judicial Officers, particularly Judges within and outside the
Country; approval for the Judiciary to recruit over 200 Staff including
relevant support Staff; establishment of the State Account Allocation Committee
(SAAC) which lays the ground work for the implementation of financial autonomy;
as well as payment of all accrued arrears of housing allowances of superior
Court Judges, on account of which some Judges took the State Government to
court among others.
This he said vindicates him and as such, the insinuations
out there suggesting that he does not care about the welfare of Judges or is
denying them their entitlements are incorrect and should be discountenanced.
As a member of the revered Legal Profession, the Governor
re-assured the judiciary of his personal commitment to the welfare and
well-being of Judges and all Judicial Staff despite the major challenge of lean
financial resources of the State worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the
economic recession.
Responding on behalf of the new judges sworn in, the
President, Customary Court of appeal Justice Sati Patrick Dapit said they will
do their best to live up to the oath of their office and the ethics of the
legal profession for the interest of the society.
The judges were later presented with their official cars.
The new judges sworn in are the new Judges namely, Hon.
Justices Naankwat Dawat Shaseet; Buetnaan Mandy Dongban Bassi, (Plateau State
High Court) Pauline Nanlep Njar, Edwin Sati Munlang, and Georgina Dashe
(Customary Court of Appeal).
Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of
Plateau State.
29th January 2021
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