Chief Judge Archives - Naija Premium Gist

Immediate past chief judge of Bayelsa, Justice Kate Abiri, is dead.

Chief registrar at State Judiciary Headquarters, High Court, Amaebi Orukari, in a statement issued on Thursday in Yenagoa , said that the former chief judge died on Thursday during a brief illness at the age of 65.

“With a deep sense of loss, the Honourable Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye, announces the demise of Hon. Justice Kate Abiri, CON, whose sad event occurred on the 3rd of August, 2023.

“The Hon. Justice Kate Abiri passed on after a brief illness at the Glory Land Hospital, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.“Until her death, she was the immediate past Chief Judge of Bayelsa State,” he said.

Mr Orukari said that the state judiciary would miss the late jurist’s pioneering efforts in information technology, infrastructural development, contribution to the legal community and the state in general.

According to him, the burial arrangements will be announced after consultation with the family.

Mrs Abiri retired from the state judiciary on Jan. 13, after serving as chief judge for 15 years and clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65.

The deceased was appointed chief judge by former Gov. Timipre Sylva in 2008 after a protracted battle, led by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch.

NBA had demanded for Mrs Abiri’s appointment, following the recommendation by National Judicial Commission (NJC).

The late Abiri was the first female judge in Nigeria’s history to swear-in the highest number of state chief executives, even beyond her state, as a chief judge.

Gombe governor swears in Acting Chief Judge

The Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, on Sunday inaugurated the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Joseph Awak.

He replaced the former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, who retired from service on January 1.

In his address during the ceremony held at the banquet hall of Gombe State Government House, the governor described Justice Awak as a principled man whose dedication, experience, and forthrightness made him the right person for the position.

He urged the new chief judge to dispense justice to all manner of people in the state without discrimination, fear, or favour.

Yahaya added that his administration would continue to make available all necessary facilities to enhance efficiency and speedy administration of justice in the state.

He said: “On our part, this administration will continue to support the judiciary and legislature in discharging their statutory responsibilities effectively for the overall benefit of the good people of Gombe State.”