Kano govt built 30 shariah courts, 26 magistrate courts-Commissioner

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano State government said it has built thirty Shariah courts and twenty six magistrate courts across the state in the past three years.

This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mallam Maliki Kuliya Umar, while receiving delegates of Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigerian (MULAN), Kano branch, who paid him a courtesy call at his office yesterday.

According to him, courts in the state were operating in unsuitable locations before the coming of the present administration of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, adding that some courts were even operating in motor garages.

However, Mr. Umar stated that no court is operating under such condition since the present administration came on board, stressing that his main objective is to improve relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

“I am happy to say that since the inception of this administration, we are trying as much as we can to improve relationship, particularly between the executive and legislature. That is why we look at the infrastructure, because you are all witness to the fact that some of our courts were operating in unsuitable locations. I know of a court that was even operating in a garage here in Kano. But we are happy to say that certainly no court is operating from a rented or borrowed structure.” He said

He added that, “Apart from constructing and equipping thirty Shariah courts, I have also built 26 magistrate courts.”

He however, revealed that two more blocks are being built at no man’s land area and Gyadi gyadi area in Kano metropolis, adding that each of the blocks will have eight courts to be occupied by magistrate courts.

He further revealed that all the state’s magistrate courts operating at Gidan Murtala would move to the blocks after completion, noting that the structure (Gidan Murtala) is not suitable for judicial functions.

In his remark, the president of MULAN, Kano branch, Sheikh Mujiburrahman, said they were at the commissioner’s office for recognition and to commend him on his giant strides achieved transforming judiciary in the state.

He added that the aim and objectives of the association is to fight for justice for the less privilege through legal aids and to assist in peace resolutions among people..