By
Fidelis Jockthan
The Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, has reaffirmed her commitment to fostering a harmonious and productive working relationship between the Bench and the Bar, while pledging full institutional support to the newly elected leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Adamawa State Branch.
Justice Abdulrahman gave this assurance on Monday when she received the association’s new executive committee in her office at the High Court complex in Yola.
The meeting, which was characterized by a spirit of collegiality and mutual respect, marked the first formal interface between the Chief Judge and the Bar’s fresh leadership following the branch’s recent electoral cycle.
Welcoming the executives, Justice Abdulrahman extended her heartfelt congratulations to Barrister Mathew Moses Tumba and his team on their resounding victory in the branch elections held on June 27, 2026.
She commended the smooth conduct of the polls and described the new leadership’s emergence as a testament to the confidence reposed in them by their colleagues.
“We are committed to maintaining a robust and cordial Bench-Bar relationship, which is fundamental to the efficient administration of justice,” the Chief Judge stated. “The Bench is fully prepared to collaborate with this new executive to advance the cause of justice, uphold the rule of law, and ensure the welfare of legal practitioners in the state.”
In a significant commitment, Justice Abdulrahman promised to use her office to secure a befitting and permanent Bar Centre for lawyers in Adamawa State—a long-standing need that has been a recurring priority for successive NBA administrations in the branch. She urged the new executives to prioritize professionalism, urging all lawyers to strictly adhere to the prescribed dress code and courtroom etiquette as enshrined in the Rules of Professional Conduct, noting that such practices enhance the dignity and integrity of the legal profession.
Furthermore, the Chief Judge pledged the full support of the High Court to the NBA’s contingent ahead of the upcoming national sports fiesta scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, encouraging the branch to participate actively and fly the flag of Adamawa with distinction.
Earlier in his address, the new NBA Chairman, Barrister Mathew Moses Tumba, who led a strong delegation of executive members on the courtesy visit, thanked the Chief Judge for her warm reception and described the meeting as a crucial step in resetting the tone for collaborative governance.
He formally introduced the executive team and sought Justice Abdulrahman’s “motherly blessings and wise counsel” to guide their stewardship.
Barrister Tumba lauded the state government under Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for the ongoing upgrade and rehabilitation of court facilities, which he noted had significantly improved the working environment for judicial officers and litigants alike.
He, however, called for continued collaboration between the judiciary and the Bar in addressing key operational challenges, including staff discipline and the critical need for a permanent Bar Centre.
Specifically, the NBA Chairman appealed for improved sanitary conditions across court premises, arguing that a clean and orderly environment complements the infrastructural upgrades already provided by the state government and enhances the overall administration of justice.
He also requested that the Chief Judge occasionally honour invitations to NBA meetings, where her presence, professional insights, and words of encouragement would greatly inspire members.
The NBA Adamawa State Branch election was conducted on June 27, 2026, and the new executives were officially inaugurated on July 1, 2026. Barrister Tumba expressed confidence that with the continued support of the Bench and the goodwill of the government, his team would deliver meaningful reforms and strengthen the legal profession in the state.
