FULL TEXT OF GOVERNOR LALONGS SPEECH AT SWEARING IN OF CHIEF JUDGE TODAY

ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT HON. SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE SWEARING IN OF THE HON JUSTICE YAKUBU GYANG DAKWAK AS CHIEF JUDGE OF PLATEAU STATE, ON THE 3RD APRIL, 2018 AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, RAYFIELD, JOS PROTOCOL Today’s swearing in of My Lord, Hon. Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak as Chief Judge of Plateau State is the open confirmation of his appointment as substantive Chief Judge in compliance with the procedure set out constitutionally for such confirmation, following his appointment as Acting Chief Judge in 2017. You will recall that while swearing in my Lord, Justice Yakubu Dakwak as Acting Chief Judge on the 23rd of September 2017, I did state that his appointment as Acting Chief Judge was in keeping with the provision of section 271 (2) (3) and particularly sub section (4) of the 1999 Constitution as Amended, and that the process for the confirmation or appointment of the Substantive Chief Judge shall follow the constitutionally laid down procedure, on the recommendation and confirmation of the appointment by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Plateau State House of Assembly respectively. This was obtained and it became imperative to in keeping with the provision of Law for his immediate swearing in, as the substantive Chief Judge; hence today’s exercise. The short period, My Lord held forth as Acting Chief Judge, has not left me in doubt as to his willingness, readiness and commitment to enriching the Bench with the experience he has garnered in his over thirty years on the Bench. The proverbial Hausa saying that a Good Friday is known from the Wednesday preceding it, had started manifesting since his appointment as acting Chief Judge and I certainly can’t wait to see the full manifestation of the fruits of good judicial practice in the State under the watch of my Lord, the new Chief Judge with his appointment as substantive Chief Judge. Given the broad spectrum exposure of the Chief Judge, in Judicial Service, cutting across all aspects of the Practice of Law, Judicial Reform, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Ad-hoc Quasi – Legal and Administrative Assignment, I am certain that our expectation of a practice direction that will enhance speedy dispensation of Justice and serve the purpose of protecting the sanctity of the rule of law, with equal access to Justice for all in the State will be guaranteed. Like I stated during the swearing in of my Lord, Justice Dakwak as Acting Chief Judge, our Nation is at a crucial time of Fight against corruption. All forms of maladministration and misappropriation of our commonwealth and corporate patrimony, must be stopped through the instrumentality of Law, and we all have the sacred task of ensuring we are a part of the campaign. You would therefore be expected with this new appointment join hands with all stakeholders in the Judiciary and Justice Delivery System in our Country to help sanitize our Nation. The Judiciary have been under sustained Public scrutiny and this is so because it represents the hope of the groaning masses, for a redeemable future for posterity. A clean Judiciary is the alter for the sanitization of our country; punishment for crime, remedy for injuries and the enthronement of respect for the rule of law, are sure panaceas to the reign of impunity, and the abuse of public trust and anarchy which have eroded the much desired sanity in our Public space. Permit me to reiterate the position of my Lord Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen GCON, who has called for the Judiciary to be in the forefront of the fight against corruption. I am glad that upon assumption of office as Acting Chief Judge then, you gave effect to this with the designation of a Court for hearing and speedy determination of corruption and financial crime cases. As you join in the establishment of an Anti- Corruption Trial Monitoring Committee to ensure that courts handling corruption and financial crime cases, abide by the renewed efforts at ridding our country of the canker worm of corruption, the Plateau State Judiciary and infact that of the Country in general, will serve the purpose of being the midwife for a better Nigeria. My Lord, the extension of your duty to all aspects that pertain to the practice of the Law within the Courts under your jurisdiction, should of necessity ensure that all sharp practices and conducts by Legal Practitioners, that put the hollow Chambers of the dispensation of Justice in total disrepute are put in check. The Bar and Bench have a critical clinical responsibility of ensuring that sharp practices which seek to undermine current reforms in laws, practice direction and rules of Courts for robust jurisprudence in the country are forestalled. On our part as a Government, we will continue to do our best to provide the necessary support and statutory requirement of office, to enable the Judiciary to function effectively. While doing this, we will continue to guarantee the Independence of the Judiciary so we do not fall foul of the charge which we have given. The Rescue Government I lead, remains committed to completing the new High Court Complex and the renovation of Courts so that the working environment for our Judges can give some comfort for the dispensation of Justice. The much we have done so far, is an eloquent testimony of the fact that we are not just paying lip service to the promises made for a better Judiciary. My Lord, as I conclude, let me leave you with the words of Dwight David Eisenhower the 34th US President who said; “The Supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity; without it no real success is possible, No matter what, whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an Army or in an Office” Stand by the fear of God, the dictates of your conscience and your vast knowledge of the Law to preserve your integrity, as you lead the Judiciary to the next level. Finally, as I convey the assurances of our prayers and support for the new Chief Judge, I ask my Lord Justices of the Superior Courts of record and all in the Judiciary, to cooperate with the new Chief Judge for a successful tenure in Office. I thank you for your kind attention and may God bless Plateau State. Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong Executive Governor