YOBE STATE JUDICIARY

Updated Date:18th June 2009

 The Judiciary as the third arm of Government is primarily charged with the responsibility of administration of justice. In Yobe State the Judiciary is divided into three divisions viz : the High Court, the Sharia Court and Judicial Service Commission.

  The Honorable Chief Judge is the head of the State Judiciary. He heads the High Courts, Magistrate Courts, Litigation, Appeals and Probate Registries with the Chief Registrar as the administrative head. The Honourable Chief Judge is also the Chairman of the State Judicial Service Commission. A body responsible for appointment, promotion and disciplinary control over the Chief Registrar, Deputy Chief Registrars of the High Court, Sharia Court of Appeal, Magistrate, Sharia Alkali’s and all members of staff of the High Courts, Magistrate Courts, Sharia Courts and the Judicial Service Commission. It also advises the National Judicial Council on suitable persons for appointment to the office of the Chief Judge, Grand Kadi, High Court Judge and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal. It also recommend to the National Jdicial Council (NJC) the removal from office of the above Judicial officers if found wanting.
  We have five High Courts and five Judges in the state namely:
  1. High Court I Damaturu
  2. High Court II Damaturu
  3. High Court III Damaturu
  4. High Court Potiskum
  5. High Court Gashua
  We also have fifteen Magistrate and Magistrate Court spread all over state.
  1. Chief Magistrate Court I Damaturu
  2. Chief Magistrate Court I Potiskum
  3. Chief Magistrate Court II Gashua
  4. Senior Magistrate Court II Nguru
  5. Senior Magistrate Court II Damaturu
  6. Senior Magistrate Court Dapchi
  7. Senior Magistrate Court Geidam
  8. Senior Magistrate Court Damagum
  9. Senior Magistrate Court Gujba
  10. Senior Magistrate Court Nangere
  11. Senior Magistrate Court Yusufari
  12. Magistrate Court Grade I Damaturu
  13. Magistrate Court Grade I Jaku
  14. Magistrate Court Grade I Yunusari
  15. Magistrate Court Grade I Fika
  MAGISTRATES
  1. Mohammed Hadis Auta ----------Chief Magistrate
  2. Musa K. Kyari -------------------Chief Magistrate
  3. Habu Yerima Saleh -------------- Chief Magistrate
  4. Baba Mohammed Gadaka --------Chief Magistrate
  5. Sule S. Isiaka ---------------------Senior Magistrate
  6. Aisha Abubakar Ahmed ----------Senior Magistrate
  7. Ahmed Alagarano ----------------Senior Magistrate
  8. Hadiza A. Ahmed -----------------Senior Magistrate
  9. Hadiza Lawan Musa ------------- Senior Magistrate
  10. Abba Bukar ---------------------Senior Magistrate
  11. Adamu Bohammed Jajere -------Senior Magistrate
  12. Abubakar Bukar Kagu ----------Magistrate Grade I
  13. Ahmed Mohammed Garba ------Magistrate Grade I
  14. Gambo Langawa ----------------Magistrate Grade I
  15. Ibrahim Jibrilla -------------------Magistrate Grade I
  The general administration of the division is vested on the Chief Registrar and Deputy Chief Registrars. They are:
     1. Barrister M. Lawu Lawan - Chief Registrar
     2. Barrister Abubakar A Mohammed - DCR (Admin)
     3. Barrister Karima B. Yusuf - DCR (Litigation)
  Our policy in judiciary is quick dispensation of justice within the ambit of the rule of law. In our effort to bring justice to the door step of the common men we have fifteen magistrate Courts in the state. One each in the (12) twelve Local Government Areas and (3) three in Damaturu the state capital. We intend to cover the entire seventeen local government areas in the state.
  In 2008 we built Magistrate Courts at Nangere and Dapchi and intend to built more this year. In addition we intend to establish more judicial divisions in the state. To this end the Government has undetaken to renovate, fence the Upper Sharia Courts halls and offices at Nguru Buni Yadi and Damaturu to the status of High Courts this fiscal year.
  The State Government also proposed to build Magistrate’s Court hall, offices and official residence for the Magistrate at Kanamma, drilling of bore hall and construction of overhead tank at the High Court Headquarters Damaturu this year.
  In order to achieve its policy the Judicial embarked on:

  1. Training of staff and judicial officers for capacity building and latest techniques in obtaining information and authorities, e.g. library, computers and online etc. in conjunction with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

  2. Ensuring adequate remuneration for judicial officers and staff.

  3. Creation of conducive working atmosphere by ensuring comfort for judicial officers such as residences and staff premium of equality etc.

  4. Ensuring speedy administrations of justice in a fair and transparent atmosphere.

  5. Provision of legal research assistant to judicial officers to ease burden.