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Kogi Chief Judge tasks courts on dispensation of justice

By John Akubo, Lokoja
17 March 2015   |   12:01 am
It noted that “election in recent time is akin to war preparation, with politicians stockpiling arms. It was also observed that political killings may be second in rank, as arms build-up and proliferation in the country are frightening to even the hardened mind.”

THE ultimate role of the judiciary in any conflict is the dispensation of justice without fear of favour, therefore, legal practitioners should uphold this primary role of court with integrity, the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, has said.

Ajanah, speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed Uhuodo Area Court II office complex in Okehi local council of the state, noted that there were misconceptions about the essence of the court.

He explained that while justice could be bought, it was pertinent to note that courts are meant to remain unblemished and dispense justice to everybody because, “the court is meant to bring justice to the doorsteps of the people and dispense justice without fear or favour.”

He expressed delight that the people were aware of their responsibility of ensuring the security of the court, adding that people of the community would be given priority in its staffing.

Meanwhile, he announced the upgrade of the court to Upper Area Court 1 to expand its jurisdiction and curtail unnecessary transfer of cases on the ground of jurisdiction. He further disclosed that the state judiciary had maintained a cordial relationship with the Executive, and that the construction of the office complex and many others soon to be inaugurated were made possible through such cooperation.

Provost warns against school cultism

Fresh students of the Federal College of Education, Okene, have been warned to desist from cultism, examination malpractices, indecent dressing and any other immoral behaviour or be ready to be expelled from the school.

Provost of the institution, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, while administering the oath of allegiance on the 227 matriculating students over the weekend, said the school has no record of cultism and such other social vices. He urged the new students, who might wish to indulge in such acts, to either quietly check out of the system or repent and continue their programme to better their future in the college.

While assuring them that the institution would strive to ensure the availability of basic social amenities required for conducive learning, he noted, however, that since the commencement of the degree programme in the 2012/2013 academic session, there has been relative growth in students enrollment.

According to him, the University of Ibadan, to which the college is affiliated, has been contributing immensely to the success of the degree programme, which was started with 184 students, but presently has over 700 students.

Nevertheless, he appealed to the management of the university for early release of the students’ results to enable the final year students join their counterparts from other institutions for the National Youth Service Corps programme.
NEMA against election violence

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is sensitising stakeholders in the forthcoming general election in Kogi on the need to avoid violence and ensure a credible 2015 election.

Addressing the stakeholders during a workshop on election violence in Lokoja, the NEMA Abuja Area Office Coordinator, Ishaya Chonoko, said the workshop aimed at achieving a credible election devoid of violence before, during and after the polls.

“NEMA, in partnership with critical stakeholders in election security, has produced the Nigerian risk preparedness and contingency plan, having conducted risk assessment on events that characterised previous elections in the country, especially the 2011 general election,” he said.

Also speaking, Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, represented by his Special Adviser on Emergency, AVM Gabriel Abdul (rtd), commended the agency for the workshop, which he described as timely and helpful, adding that his administration was committed to transparent values and peace, hence it is ready to partner NEMA to achieve its objective.

The assessment, NEMA noted, identified 20 states as flashpoints, according to their past history of skirmishes, which have also characterised the present electioneering campaign, stating that the situation was worrisome given that the nation was about to conduct one of the most keenly contested elections.

The agency appealed to all stakeholders and major players in the 2015 general elections to exercise restraint in their conducts in the interest of peace and mutual co-existence during and after the election.

It noted that “election in recent time is akin to war preparation, with politicians stockpiling arms. It was also observed that political killings may be second in rank, as arms build-up and proliferation in the country are frightening to even the hardened mind.”

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