…Govt is “committed to the effective functioning of the Judiciary,” – Gov Mutfwang;
…calls for creation of State Police.
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau State Governor, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the independence, welfare, and effective functioning of the judiciary. He stated his call for the creation of State Police as the 2025/2026 Legal Year formally opened in Jos.
Declaring the new legal year open at the High Court Complex on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Governor Mutfwang congratulated the judiciary for a successful year and commended their integrity and collaboration with the executive arm.
He emphasized the importance of judicial discretion, urging judges to “wield it with wisdom and fear of God,” adding, “Judicial discretion is a very long rope. It can be used to rescue the vulnerable from oppression, but it can also entangle the one who misuses it. You, therefore, need to be guided by the ethics of your calling,” he admonished.
On welfare, Governor Mutfwang has directed the Accountant-General to clear outstanding entitlements of retired Judges, while assuring that his administration will address decade-long arrears of robe allowances and consider the replacement of aging official vehicles.
“We will continue to look into the welfare not only of our serving judicial officers, but also of those who retire, to ensure they do not retire into misery and penury,” he declared.
He further reiterated his support for State Police, declaring thus: “I make bold to say that when we do have State Police, we can respond faster and arrest many situations better. The National Assembly should not relent in this effort.”
Governor Mutfwang called for integrity at the Bar; charged legal practitioners to uphold their sacred duty as officers in the temple of justice. Sharing a personal anecdote, he cautioned against lawyers aiding clients in fraudulent cases, urging judges and lawyers to recommit themselves to justice, fairness, and service to humanity.
“Whenever they have need for medical attention, we will do all we can to ensure that our judges have a sound mind and a sound body, in order to dispense justice appropriately. Approach this year with a determination to do better than you did last year,” the governor stressed.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, Bar Hassan Leah, on behalf of the four branches in the state, pledged their commitment towards strengthening of the legal system for quick dispensation of smooth ride to justice by also advocating for improved welfare service of Judiciary workers in the State.
According to her, “The annual ritual ceremony is to enable us take stock and reflect; also review our commitment to the rule of laws, because the BAR is so committed to the occasion of measuring the progress of members of BAR and the Bench in discharging their core responsibility of ‘ensuring justice is served.’”
She assured of their unwavering support to the operation, between the Inner Bar, Bench and the Bar, in delivering justice, saying, “because we are all officers in the Temple of Justice for the transformation.”
She reiterated that they had gone through challenges, in order to maintain world standard adjudication of rules of law, adding, “Justice delayed is Justice denied – with millions of Nigerians still lacking access to comprehensive judgment.”
The Chairman further noted that, “For the country to attend the position of ‘Independence of the Judiciary’ in Nigeria, the welfare of the JUSUN must be given topmost priority and betterment of all and sundry in the legal system.”