Lack of official residence stall appointment of high court judges in niger state

Lack of official residence stall appointment of high court judges in niger state

BY UTHMAN BABA-SIRAJDEEN,MINNA

Lack of official vehicles and residential
accommodation has hindered the appointment of High Court Judges in Niger State, Platinumnews, findings has revealed.

The official vehicles and the residential accommodation for the judges ,are the requirements by the National Judicial Council before the confirmation of their appointment by the NJC.

Already,fear and apprehension has gripped the nominated High Court Judges in Niger State as their hope of becoming High court Judges is now hanging in uncertainty.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), had in January 2025 approved the appointment of some numbers of High court Judges across the country in which Niger State also submitted names of eight applicants.

Eight of the applicants’ names submitted were subjected to vigorous Interviews by a panel headed by the Chief Judge of Niger State Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik sometime in October,2025.

Among those applied for the High court Judges are some legal practitioners from the Public and private Bar as well as some directors from the Service of the Niger State Judiciary.

After the conduct of the interview,it was gathered that eight of the successful applicants were forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC), for onward approval.

It was further gathered that, after their names were forwarded,the NJC, then requested for a written objection from the members of the Public concerning the Conducts of the names submitted for consideration.

However, since the submission of the names in the past six months, the nominated applicants are yet to know their fate as no further information from the NJC concerning their appointment.

Some states, according to our findings
have already appointed their high court Judges and sworn into office and have commenced court proceedings in their respective states.

Among the states that have already appointed their High Court Judges include Kano,Kebbi, Katsina,Nasarawa and Ekiti States.

These according to our findings,” they applied for the appointment of their High Court Judges before the NJC along side with Niger State but yet Niger State has not”

” We don’t really know what is delaying this appointment. Other state that got the approval to appoint High Court Judges from NJC have appointed the Judges but we don’t even know what is delaying that of Niger State” a source who crave anonymous told our reporter.

It was reliably gathered that some times in April, 2025, eight were shortlisted for the appointment by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to be appointed in to the Niger state High Court out of which four will be consider.

While, four others will be on reserve pending the decision of the NJC for their appointment.

Among those names, include Ahmed Jibrin Ndatsu Ndajiwo a Magistrate in FCT, Adamu Abubakar a director in the Niger State Judiciary,. Abdullahi Babani of the Customary Court headquarters in Abuja,and Suleiman Buhari a Principal state counsel in the Niger State Ministry of Justice.

Others are Barrister Hauwa Kulu Isah,the Secretary Niger State Judicial Service Commission, Barrister Ahmed Isah Evuti head of the legal department of the Niger State Urban Development Board, and Barrister Sa’adatu Gambo director Multi door Court House in the Niger State Judiciary.

The Niger State, has a total of thirteen High courts of Justice. with eight situated at the headquarters with three in Suleja Judicial division,while Bida,Borgu and Kontagora Judiciary divisions has one each.

Also, it was gathered that Kuta,Kutigi, Lapai and Rijau were newly constructed.

The High court in Lapai and Kuta, are being over seen by Justice Danladi Ahmed Badegi of Suleja High Court division and Justice Isaac Jiya of New Bussa High court division.