Kogi CJ Gives Scorecard, Vows to Sustain Progress

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi yesterday gave a scorecard of his achievements since assumption of office, noting that the state judiciary had made remarkable improvements under his watch in terms of human capital and structural developments.

 Majebi who briefed the third session of the Council of Judges at the judiciary headquarters, recalled that the administration began with the conception and inauguration of the council of judges with its members designated with supervisory roles over directorates.

The CJ added that the judiciary headquarters currently enjoys 24 hours power supply while there is an ongoing process of installing solar energy at all judges’ quarters as a move to enhance performance with provision of vital infrastructure.
Speaking on management of funds and transparency, he said upon assumption of office, the High Court of Justice was hugely indebted, but that all such outstanding loans, which amounted to about N37 million owed private creditors had been liquidated.

In order to instill fiscal discipline, transparency and possibly forestall reoccurrence of debt accumulation, he said a Fund Allocation Committee comprising all vital segments of the institution, including representatives of the workers’ union, was set up to manage all funds accruing to the High Court.
On human capital development, he told the council that in addition to paying attention to judges and staff welfare, prompt payment of allowances and claims had become the order of the day.

Just as magistrates and area courts’ judges were repositioned in line with their seniority order and the payment of salaries and allowances attached thereto commenced immediately, he said all 67 staff who were omitted during the 2020 promotion exercise had since been promoted and payment of their corresponding salaries and allowances also commenced.

The CJ added that deductible salary advance which is usually paid to staff in need, but which was suspended before he assumed office, had been resuscitated and was being discharged every month.
To douse tension and agitation amongst staff, the CJ reported that the hydra-headed issue of implementing the new minimum wage of N30,000 to staff of the judiciary was resolved during the period with immediate commencement of its implementation.

“Additionally, all staff who were due for retirement were granted their arrears of promotions via a sustainable policy while approval was granted for conversion of appointments and those seeking normalisation pended  for this year.

“ This also goes along with the periodic promotion of committed and hardworking staff across cadres as a new policy.
“Furthermore, the Kogi State Judiciary Staff Credit, Thrift and Cooperative Society has been repositioned to serve staff better while maintenance of the fleet of staff buses for commuting staff to and from the headquarters has been prioritized given the headquarters’ location from Lokoja town,” he stated.

On digitisation process, with NJC’s Judiciary Information Technology Policy (JITPO) in mind, he said the institution’s library was equipped with e-library platform during the period while the litigation department and some Magistrate’s courts were equipped.

In his remarks, Justice Nicodemus Awulu, the next in hierarchy to the CJ, who spoke on behalf of other judges of the state, assured him that he would continue to enjoy the council’s backing.

The judges also vowed to sustain the tempo of progress made under the leadership of the chief judge, maintaining that the achievements recorded since his assumption of office would be continued.