Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has urged the judiciary to ensure that justice is timely and accessible, as well as explore innovative strategies that would quicken resolution of cases.

The governor made the plea, yesterday, during a special court session to celebrate the 2023/2024 Legal Year held at the Judiciary Complex in Minna.

Bago, who acknowledged that the judiciary plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all, thereby making the society stable, emphasised the relentless efforts of the judiciary in protecting the rights of the citizens and maintaining the integrity of the legal system.

While appreciating the steadfastness and commitment of judiciary workers, the governor added: “We have witnessed the resilience of our legal system in the face of various challenges. The court has continued to dispense justice impartially and efficiently despite limited resources and a growing caseload.”

He, therefore, promised that his administration would strengthen the existing relationship between the Executive and Judiciary and would remain unwavering in supporting in the areas of welfare, promotion, accommodation and mobility.

Earlier, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, while acknowledging challenges and successes recorded by the state’s judiciary, said that the Judiciary, in line with the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Section 528, had inaugurated a monitoring team to check incidences of thuggery and insecurity bedeviling the state.

The CJ said that in a bid to enhance the administration of justice in the state, there has been a move to abolish trial within criminal cases to facilitate speedy dispensation of justice with a call on members of the Bar that use all means to prolong hearings of cases to desist from it as such actions will no longer be tolerated.