Ministerial Press Briefing on the achievements of the Jigawa State Ministry of Justice Marking the Second Year in Office of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Jigawa State. Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar MON, mni.
Presented by:
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu,
The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice
At Ministry of Justice Conference Room, Block B, 2nd and 3rd Floors, New Secretariat Dutse.
On Friday, 28th May, 2021 (Shawwal 16, 1442 AH)
Assalamu’alaikum
Distinguished Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.
All Praises are to Allah (SWT), the creator of the universe and our sustainer, peace and blessings of Allah be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (SAW).
It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you on this occasion where we have gathered for this Ministerial Briefing, and I thank you all for having spared your precious time to be with us.
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar MON, mni has spent two years steering the leadership of Jigawa State in his second term in office. There is no doubt that last year was quite challenging as a result of the global pandemic of covid-19. Despite that challenge, the Ministry of Justice has achieved a lot in discharging its mandate. The Ministry has been consistent in toeing the line of His Excellency’s style of leadership of ensuring accountability, prudence, transparency, and respect for the rule of law in Jigawa State. Good governance and informing members of the public of the Ministry’s activities are dear to His Excellency.
The vision and mission of the Ministry of Justice Jigawa State are to improve justice delivery to our citizens through robustness and professionalism while maintaining synergy with all stakeholders following the democratic ideals and the rule of law.
The Jigawa State Ministry of Justice is one of the key Ministries in the State with the primary responsibilities of ensuring compliance with the law by all and upliftment of justice for all. The Ministry is also a multi-point bridge and an intermediary between the three arms of Government and is the first point of call in Justice Administration in Jigawa State. The functions of the Ministry include:
- Undertaking of prosecution of defendants in courts;
- Supporting the MDAs through advisory legal services on matters relating to legal instruments, bills, laws, contracts, acts of officers etc.;
- Provision of legal services for MDAs regarding civil matters and representing Government’s interest in crucial meetings likely to affect government policy or any law in the state.
- Providing additional Alternative Dispute Resolution services to the public and Government to foster peace and harmony in the State.
- Drafting and vetting of executive bills and contracts.
In the year under review, the Ministry of Justice has many feathers added to its proverbial cap. Even prior to the covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Justice of Jigawa State has embraced the usage of technology in the discharge of its activities and functions. A Case Box App is a tracking tool that monitors and measures the progress of cases and performance of all Counsel in the Ministry, including my humble self. Through this App, we have been able to successfully manage, monitor and track all the cases being prosecuted by all counsel in all departments of the ministry.
To imbibe technology in justice administration, all Counsel in the Ministry of Justice were given brand-new laptops in order to ensure a manual way of discharging duties have been phased out in the Ministry. Counsel in the Ministry had undergone several trainings, physically and virtually within and outside the state on computer and other information technology tools that will assist them in discharging their functions. This is the first time in the history of the Ministry such success was scored.
Undoubtedly, the number of charges filed during the periods under review had never been seen or experienced in Jigawa State. The achievement was as a result of commitment exhibited that case diaries most of the times were shared in the presence of the Attorney General, and all Counsel must return their legal advice and charges (if any) within seven days unfailingly. This practice has indeed helped in tackling the recalcitrant challenge of delay in drafting legal advice and filing of charges within a reasonable time.
Another achievement is the hosting and developing of a website dedicated for the Ministry of Justice. This was funded by one of the Ministry’s partners – Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). The website found at www.moj.jg.gov.ng showcases all the recent achievements recorded by the Ministry. The website is a huge success. Hundreds of visitors are accessing the website on a daily basis to get important and useful information and data.
The Ministry of Justice has also introduced a weekly Hausa radio program called ‘SHARI’A YANCIN KAI’. The program, which seeks to educate and inform the public on the functions and duties of the Ministry, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and a donor agency Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN). The Ministry has also dedicated a telephone line which is made public. The essence of the line is for people to lodge justice-related complaints/suggestions, which the Ministry painstakingly trace and monitor on a daily basis. Those complaints and issues are aired on the radio program. Many distinguished legal practitioners have featured in the program and have answered critical questions sent by listeners.
The State under this administration is among the few states to have domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP). The law is novel and all-encompassing law that seeks to put a stop to most harmful practices which were hitherto unregulated by any legislation in the State. The high points in the law are that the age of consent is now 16 years and that a convict of rape is now liable to be mandatorily sentenced to death or life imprisonment. There is also the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill, 2021 which has been approved by the State Executive Council. The bill is on its way to State Assembly. It is through the efforts of His Excellency through the State Anti-Corruption Mechanism Committee (STCAM) under my leadership the bill is drafted with the support of the Centre for Democratic and Development (CDD).
Alhamdulillah, the Ministry, has been making progress in the justice sector. Despite huge challenges, the achievements are worth celebrating. God willing, the light will be seen at the end of the tunnel. The Ministry expresses its profound appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar MON, mni. He has been extremely supportive of all the activities of the Ministry. The Ministry is also grateful to many distinguished personalities within and outside the legal profession, donor agencies, CSO’s and the Public Relations Section of the Ministry. Without the support of His Excellency and other stakeholders, the Ministry could not have made such progress in the year under review.
I want to assure all persons residing in Jigawa State that we will continue to strive to ensure we discharge our responsibilities diligently and fairly. We are conscious of the fact that the duty on us is trust, and by Allah’s grace, we shall never let His Excellency and members of the public down.
Finally, we appreciate the support of members of the press for your contribution in disseminating our activities.
Signed by
Zainab Baba Santali
Public relations Officer, Jigawa Ministry of Justice.
