By
Fidelis Jockthan
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yola Branch, has commended the Adamawa State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for approving the promotion of 458 staff and for taking a firm stance on the strict enforcement of free bail in the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, M. M. Tumba Esq., the NBA Yola Branch praised the JSC under the leadership of Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, the Chief Judge of Adamawa State and Chairman of the Commission, for resolutions aimed at strengthening the administration of justice.
The association described the promotion of 458 deserving staff across various judicial divisions as highly commendable.
It noted that the exercise covered Magistrates, Administrative/Executive Officers, Confidential Secretaries, Registrars and other eligible personnel across the High Court, Area Court, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal structures.
The NBA Yola Branch particularly welcomed the Commission’s firm position on the strict enforcement of free bail.
It said the declaration that bail is entirely free, and that no judicial officer, court staff or law-enforcement officer is authorised to demand or accept payment for bail, is a significant step towards strengthening public confidence in the administration of criminal justice.
However, the association said achieving the objective of truly free bail requires the collective responsibility of all stakeholders, adding that the fight must not be viewed as one-way traffic.
It called for a four-pronged approach involving the Judiciary and its personnel, the relevant judicial disciplinary authorities, legal practitioners and members of the public.
The NBA said Magistrates, Judges and judicial staff must faithfully uphold the principle that bail should not be converted into a commercial transaction. It added that any lawful conditions attached to bail should remain within the bounds of the law and must never become an avenue for demanding unauthorised payments.
In addition, it said appropriate judicial authorities must continue to provide effective mechanisms for receiving, investigating and determining genuine complaints, with appropriate disciplinary measures following where misconduct is established through due process.
Third, the association said lawyers, as ministers in the temple of justice, have a particularly important responsibility. It urged members of the Bar who encounter credible instances of unlawful demands connected with bail to document and report them through appropriate channels.
The NBA Yola Branch said it would continue to encourage and support its members in bringing genuine complaints to the attention of relevant authorities.
At the same time, it warned that lawyers must exercise this responsibility with the highest degree of professionalism.
It said no legal practitioner should submit a frivolous, malicious or unsubstantiated petition against a judicial officer or court staff, stressing that the complaint mechanism must not become an instrument of intimidation, retaliation or harassment. Every petition, it added, should be founded upon verifiable facts and pursued responsibly.
The association said members of the public also have a role to play.
It urged the public to resist demands for unlawful payments and not to offer, induce or insist on making payments to secure bail. It advised that where an improper demand is made, it should be reported through appropriate channels.
The NBA Yola Branch therefore called for all hands to be on deck, saying the success of the initiative depends on cooperation among the Bench, the Bar, judicial institutions and the general public.
It commended Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman and the entire Adamawa State Judicial Service Commission for what it described as progressive steps, and expressed readiness to collaborate with the Judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure that the directive on free bail translates from policy into everyday practice in the courts.
“Together, we can strengthen accountability, protect the rights of citizens, enhance access to justice and deepen public confidence in the administration of justice in Adamawa State,” the statement said.
