Featured: Read this special interview of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Salman Jawondo
The two time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kwara State Salman Jawondo, also leader from Asa Local Government, Kwara State spoke on the land mark achievements of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led Government and also highlited the major roles the government has played and being played in the development of the justice sector in Kwara State.
The Ministry of Justice headed by the Attorney General is the arm of government involved in observance oflaw and order in the state or country.
The emergence of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has brought about positive changes;
- Before the advent of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s led government, the Ministry of Justice only produced ONE Permanent Secretary who is constitutionally the Solicitor General which invariably implied that he must be legal practitioner. Apart from the Solicitor General, no legal practitioner from the Ministry of Justice was allowed to be a permanent Secretary. Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq changed narrative by appointing three legal practitioner who were Directors in the Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretaries in the State Ministries.
- The morale of legal practitioners in the Ministry was on low as a result of non payment their entitlement such as Wardrobe and annual practising fees etc. This is now a thing of the past as the arrears have not only been settled, but also allowances are being paid as due.
- The library of the ministry (its intellectual armoury) which was in shambles and outdated is now in good and standard shape stocked with up to date law reports, books and journers and computer gadgets. This makes the working environment friendly and research easy for the staff.
- Some Lawyers who hitherto have no offices and sitting facities have been fixed.
- Funds are now being made available for attendance of state witnesses in court especially in criminal matters. This has reduced delay in trials of accused persons.
- As the coordinating Ministry for government legal matters and lawyers to the government and all its Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the ministry of justice normally has its building and offices separate from the Governor’ office, but the situation in Kwara is now so as the Ministry of Justice is house in the Governor’s office.The process of delivering an ediface to be known as Ministry of Justice building is on going. meant to have a standalone building.The project which was slated to commence in 2020 was hindered by effects of the out break of COVID 19 Pandemic.
- The Laws of Kwara State will soon be available on line. While the website is being built, the published Laws of the State ready and the new laws are being gazetted, the Laws would be available on line as soon as the website is completed. This will not only connect Kwara to international legal environment but it will serve a source of revenue for the State I form of access charge or fee from users.
- The process of computerisation of the working of the Ministry of Justice is also on going
The Jdicial arm of government is not left out. - Payment of arrears of allowances of Magistrates and Area Court Judges, left unpaid by the last administration,
- A good number of our court rooms and Chambers of our Judges have been renovated and upgraded. I. E. High Court complex, Ilorin, Omu-Aran High, Magistrate Court Kaiama, Area Court, Gwanara etc. This is an ongoing project as many of courts in bad, if not delapidated, shapes owing lack of maintenance in the previous years.
- Reform that will ensure that Gratuities and pensions of Judicial Officers are removed from the General pool and be made part of the budget of the Judiciary was already being undertaken even before the on going process of implementation of financial autonomy for Judiciary. The implementation of financial autonomy for Judiciary is not a new concept for the State Government has it is being practiced by Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
- Construction of a new and modern High court complex with up to date computer gadgets to ease court proceedings and works is in the process. The drawing work is completed
God bless ASA L.G.A
God bless Kwara state
God bless Nigeria