Kogi State Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, has cautioned judicial officers against negative conduct in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
Justice Majebi gave the warning at the valedictory court session in honour of Justice Esther Onuche Haruna on her retirement as a judge of the Kogi State High Court of Justice in Lokoja.
The chief judge also charged lawyers to avoid unnecessary delays in criminal cases for personal gains.
He described Justice Haruna as an incorruptible judge who performed various assignments given her with utmost sense of responsibility.
According to him, Justice Haruna’s impeccable character, humble disposition and unblemished record of service to Kogi State and Nigeria would be greatly missed.
Representative of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Jibrin Okutepa, described Justice Esther Onuche Haruna as a judicial amazon and a role model to upcoming judicial officers.
Okutepa urged judges to remain apolitical and exhibit a high sense of patriotism and integrity while performing their duties.
In his message, Governor Yahaya Bello promised government’s continued partnership with the judiciary to achieve set goals.
Represented by his deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, Governor Bello expressed appreciation to Justice Haruna for her selfless service to her fatherland and wished her the best in retirement.
The chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lokoja chapter, Iliayasu Alhassan, called for more attention to the welfare of magistrates in Kogi State.
In her speech, Justice Esther Onuche Haruna attributed her achievement to God’s grace, support of her husband and roles played by the late Justices Alhassan Idoko, James Ogebe and Umaru Eri.
