Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State yesterday swore in Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak as the acting Chief Judge, following the retirement of Justice Pius Damuluk, whose valedictory session held on Friday.
Lalong, in his address yesterday said the process for confirmation or appointment of the substantive Chief Judge shall follow the constitutionally laid down procedure, on the recommendation and confirmation of the appointment by the National Judicial Council and the Plateau State House of Assembly respectively which he said will commence immediately.
He noted that, “at this crucial time of our nation’s fight against corruption and all forms of maladministration and misappropriation of our commonwealth and corporate patrimony, all eyes are on you to do the needful as you join hands with all stakeholders in the Judiciary and justice delivery system to sanitize our nation.”
The governor explained that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen has set out the direction for the judiciary to be in the forefront in the fight against corruption, adding that “I am sure the acting Chief Judge will desire out of conviction and compulsion of duty, to join the league of anti-corruption campaigners in our nation. This will be done as you work hard to give the state a first in implementing the charge of the Chief Justice of the Federation.”
Lalong assured that he would provide the necessary support and statutory requirement of office to enable the Judiciary to function effectively, stressing that, “while doing this, we will ensure that the independence of the Judiciary remains sacrosanct, so that we validate the fact that our democracy is founded on the tenets of the rule of law and clear separation of powers, with each arm of government being a critical part of the whole.”
