By Ogalla Daniel
The Wife of the former Governor of Kogi State, Barrister Amina Bello, has called on the judiciary in the state to be more assertive as regards cases relating to the abuse of women and children.
She said the call was necessary as it was most trying for the vulnerable in the society.
Barr. Bello made the call at the Judiciary headquarters in Lokoja when she led executive members of the state’s branch of the Federation of Women Layers (FIDA), to which she is the Grand Patroness, on a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, as part of the programmes marking the 2025 FIDA Week.
Barrister Amina Bello, who applauded the judiciary for taking remarkable decisions that had raised the hopes of victims of gender violence in the state, added that the administration of justice system in the state has made appreciative and noticeable progress in gender-related matters since the establishment of the Family Court over a decade and the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Law in 2022.
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She said it was however important to safeguard the impressive strides by addressing concerns in areas that deserve attention and improvement for more significant and impactful administration of justice on women and children related matters in particular.
According to her, in delivering fair and equitable justice, especially for violated women and children, it was necessary to bring justice more closer to the people, noting that the distant location of courts also constitutes impediments to women seeking justice.
“In addition to this, delivering justice within appropriate timeframe should be given attention to close the gap between women, justice and equity as delay in justice delivery is as good as denial of justice” she further added.
According to her, the call for addressing delay in the justice system couldn’t be done in a better time as victims of violation often attend courts under traumatised conditions.
Likewise, she suggested that convicts of gender violence be documented for references and to serve as deterrent to future offenders.
She then used the occasion to assure the judiciary of collaboration, saying her NGO, the Hayyat Foundation, partners legal services agencies and was ready to partner Kogi State judiciary in technical areas to espouse effective administration of justice to protect vulnerable women and children in the state.
Highlighting the essence of the FIDA Week, Barr. Bello hinted that this year’s celebration would be exceptional as the programmes of the week included a special dedication and visitation to maternity wards in hospitals as supportive measure to women and children.
The Chief Judge, in his response, urged women groups to be more dedicated to the cause of women and children while reiterating that the judiciary would continue to be efficient in justice administration.
He emphasised that the Family Court, which exists at both High Court and Magistrate’s courts level across the state, does not take cases with levity stating also that speedy delivery of justice in Kogi state remains sacrosanct to all categories of court.
He noted that other stakeholders in the administration of justice were critical and instrumental to timely determination of cases citing prosecution as particularly cardinal to timeliness, firmness and fairness in justice delivery.
The CJ disclosed that cases are assigned without delay and Judges and Magistrates equally respond with swiftness by commencing hearing without delay.
He hinted however that all stakeholders, in the administration of justice, would continue to be invaluable partners of the judiciary in delivering justice fairly and effectively in the state.
While also assuring FIDA of continuous support, the CJ urged the organisation to brace up for the challenges confronting societal abuse of women and children as he encouraged members to emulate the former first lady in character, simplicity, determination and dedication to the pursuit of the cause of women and children in the state and the country; just as he also wished the organisation a peaceful and fruitful celebration of it’s 2025 week.
