By G9ija
Governor Umaru Fintiri has sworn in Justice Hafsat Andulrahman as the first female chief judge in Adamawa State.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Government House in Yola on Monday.
Besides the chief judge, the governor also swore in two other judges – Justice Ibrahim Sudi as the Grand Khadi and Audu Balami as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal.
While speaking at the event, Governor Fintiri described the moment as a watershed in the state’s history.
“The Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, is a consummate judge who rose through the ranks with an unblemished record in her years of service and substantive judgements to her belt,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.
“We are making history as a government by having the first female Chief Judge in the history of the State. Her emergence is, therefore, a watershed development in gender mainstreaming and a testament that the girl-child is at liberty to rise and become anything with merit, devoid of any man-made barriers in Adamawa State.
“To parents, I must say, if we are looking for a role model for our daughters, this is a perfect place to come to – merit, right, truth, hard work, dedication, fairness and justice.”
But he said the judiciary needs to save its image. He claimed that some citizens violate the law and ask the aggrieved person(s) to go to court because they (violators) can manipulate the course of justice.
The situation does not only rob the victims of justice but dents the image of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, Fintiri added.
“It is important to emphasize that the judiciary is the last line of defence in any constitutional democracy and there must never be a time when citizens begin to harbour any suspicion that the judiciary is captured,” he said.
“Under no circumstances shall you falter the integrity of the justice system and the independence of the judiciary can never be compromised under any circumstances. Come what may, you must remain strong, resilient, and steadfast in upholding the rule of law.”
Governor Fintiri at the occasion also reiterated his government’s resolve to deliver purposeful leadership to the people of the state. He also promised to allow other organs of government to function independently.
“As a Government, we shall continue to accord every democratic institution the needed respect and support. We have institutionalized our organic belief in the doctrine of separation of powers,” the governor noted.
“Today in Adamawa State, the three arms of Government – the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary are functioning with optimal autonomy. It is now a culture that the only way we can realize our aspiration of delivering purposeful leadership to our people is to allow all the organs of government to function independently. Congratulations your Lordships.”
On her part, Justice Hafsat who spoke on behalf of the judges, promised to do their best in the promotion of justice.