Lawal Distributes Vehicles to Judicial Officers, Clears N600m Allowance Arrears

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has distributed official vehicles to judicial officers in the state and announced the payment of more than N600 million in outstanding statutory allowances owed to judges and magistrates.

Governor Lawal, who presented the vehicles earlier today, said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary, promoting good governance and supporting the effective administration of justice in Zamfara State.

He said the provision of official vehicles would enhance the mobility and efficiency of judicial officers, while urging beneficiaries to regard the vehicles as instruments of public service rather than privileges attached to their offices.

The governor also disclosed that his administration had invested substantially in the development and rehabilitation of judicial infrastructure across the state.

According to him, projects undertaken include the remodelling and construction of four Small Claims Courts, the Magistrate Court in Samaru, the State High Court, 10 Sharia Courts across various local government areas, the Unguwar Gwaza Higher Sharia Court, the Higher Sharia Court in Damba, as well as Federal High Courts 5 and 7.

Lawal said about 90 per cent of the projects had been completed.

Beyond infrastructure, the governor revealed that the state government had cleared the backlog of statutory allowances owed to judicial officers for 2022 and 2023.

He said more than N600 million had been expended on outstanding accommodation, wardrobe, outfit, medical and furniture allowances.

The governor said the payments were necessary to restore the dignity of judicial officers, improve their welfare and create an enabling environment for the effective administration of justice.

While handing over the vehicles, Lawal charged judges and magistrates to uphold integrity, impartiality and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He stressed that the support provided by the government must translate into improved service delivery, faster resolution of cases and greater access to justice for residents.

Representatives of the judicial officers expressed appreciation for the government’s interventions, particularly the settlement of outstanding allowances and provision of official vehicles.

They pledged to reciprocate through diligence, fairness and strict adherence to the rule of law.

The latest interventions are expected to further strengthen the capacity of the judiciary in Zamfara State, particularly in addressing case backlogs and improving access to justice.