By
Fidelis Jockthan
A three-day retreat for magistrates in Adamawa State was rounded off on Friday, with a strong emphasis on upholding courtroom decorum and procedural etiquette to ensure the swift and efficient dispensation of justice.
The training, organized by the office of the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, was facilitated by the Chief Registrar, Mohammed Buba Abubakar, alongside Deputy Chief Registrars.
The intensive session covered critical judicial subjects, including personal security for members of the lower Bench, bail guidelines, territorial jurisdiction, small claims court procedures, the centralization of First Information Reports (FIRs), ex-parte orders, and the handling of petitions.
In his closing remarks, Chief Registrar Abubakar urged magistrates to maintain the highest standards of conduct on the bench, underscoring that judicial discipline is fundamental to public confidence in the legal system.
He also announced that the High Court management would begin recognizing and rewarding magistrates who distinguish themselves in adjudication and revenue generation, as part of broader efforts to enhance performance and accountability.
The retreat comes in the wake of a recent violent incident in Mayo-Ine, Fufore Local Government Area, where an Area Court judge was attacked by a litigant over a land dispute case.
The incident has heightened concerns over judicial security, prompting the registrar to reiterate the importance of personal safety protocols for all judicial officers.
Addressing administrative concerns, the Chief Registrar revealed that grave and weighty petitions against magistrates would now be channeled directly to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
This, he noted, underscores the need for magistrates to exercise greater caution and precision in their rulings and judicial conduct.
Additionally, the judiciary plans to carry out transfers, new appointments, and a rejigging of staff to fill vacancies in courts across the state.
“Bail is free, and all magistrates and Area Court judges should ensure this is practiced without exception,” Abubakar reaffirmed, reiterating the judiciary’s zero-tolerance policy toward any form of bail-related extortion.
The retreat, which ran from Wednesday to Friday, saw robust attendance, providing magistrates with a platform to freely interact with the High Court management and share insights on operational challenges.
In the coming weeks, similar refresher training will be extended to Area Court judges.
Furthermore, the High Court will host an interface meeting with members of the Bench,Bench and police to strengthen collaboration and improve the overall justice delivery system in Adamawa State.
The initiative is part of ongoing judicial reforms aimed at fostering transparency, efficiency, and security within the state’s judiciary.
