Gombe must get rid of outdated laws inherited from Bauchi 28 years ago – NBA

Nearly 28 years after its creation in 1996, Gombe State’s legal system still relies on outdated laws inherited from Bauchi State, lamented Benjamin Sati, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gombe branch.

Speaking at the 2024/2025 legal year ceremony on Monday, Sati stressed the urgent need for the state to establish a modern, codified legal framework.

“Gombe State lacks a codified body of laws and continues to depend on Bauchi State’s outdated 1990 and 1991 laws, which have already been revised twice by Bauchi. This situation is unacceptable, and we call on the government to expedite the compilation and publication of our state’s laws,” he said.

Sati raised concerns that citing these outdated laws in court could mean referencing non-existent laws, undermining judicial credibility.

He also highlighted the chronic underfunding of Gombe’s judiciary, describing it as the least funded in the North-East region.

“Inadequate funding has posed significant challenges. We urge the government to allocate more funds to enable the judiciary to function effectively,” he added.

Additionally, Sati warned of the potential relocation of the Gombe division of the Court of Appeal due to incomplete accommodations for justices and staff. He appealed to the government to prioritize completing the residences to secure the court’s continued presence in the state.

“The Appeal Court is currently sitting in Maiduguri. There are indications it could be relocated to Yobe or Borno unless the issue of accommodation is swiftly addressed,” he said.

In response, Gombe State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Umar, stated that the government had already awarded a contract to compile the state’s laws, with over 60% of the funds disbursed.

“The governor has submitted an executive bill to the House of Assembly for approval. While I’m not the contractor, we expect the compilation to be ready by mid-year,” Umar said.

On the issue of the Court of Appeal, Umar reassured that efforts were underway to address the accommodations, adding that temporary housing with utilities had already been provided for the justices.

Chief Judge of Gombe State, Halima Mohammed, acknowledged progress in the judiciary, citing key achievements over the past year. She reported that 616 cases were filed, 555 were resolved, and 781 remain pending, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance justice delivery.

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya commended the judiciary for its contributions to maintaining law and order. He emphasized the importance of judicial reforms to ensure speedy justice delivery and reduce prison congestion.

“A responsive judiciary is crucial to meeting the expectations of our people, ensuring fairness, and upholding the rule of law,” Yahaya said.

The governor announced plans to appoint more judges, improve the welfare of judicial staff, and invest in capacity-building and training programs.

He also highlighted efforts to modernize the judiciary through digital tools to enhance efficiency and streamline processes.