The Judicial Service Commission of Kogi State has approved the promotion of 1,768 duly qualified members of the judiciary staff. This decision was made during the 139th session of the Commission held at its premises in Lokoja, the state capital. The session was attended by the full retinue of its members, with some joining virtually. The promotion is aimed at remedying the backlog of staff promotion which dated back to 2020.
The Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Tanko, expressed delight that the session was successfully held. He attributed the success to the commitment of the three heads of court and the state’s Attorney-General. Their concerns resulted in a detailed and exhaustive capturing of all entitled staff. The Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, observed that since judiciary staff had last enjoyed promotion six years ago due to paucity of funds, the effected promotion will receive the necessary attention.
The promotion exercise covers Magistrates, Area Court Judges, Registrars, and other supporting staff across cadres and grade levels of the courts and the Commission. A breakdown of the number of staff affected totals 1,768, comprising 57 for the Judicial Service Commission, 650 for the High Court of Justice, 191 for the Sharia Court of Appeal, and 220 for the Customary Court of Appeal. This development is expected to address staff agitations through their union, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
The Commission also approved the conversion of the Directorate of Finance and Supplies of all three courts and the Commission to the Directorate of Finance and Accounts. This move is in compliance with the earlier directive of the state’s Executive Council for uniformity in financial and fiscal management procedures in all agencies of the state. The Commission directed the affected Directorate in the Commission, the High Court of Justice, the Sharia Court of Appeal, and the Customary Court of Appeal to adopt the new designation with immediate effect.
According to Dr. Mohammed Tanko, the Chief Judge emphasized that the Commission is determined to ensure that judiciary staff are well motivated and will no longer suffer any backlog. Efforts are being made to ensure that the exercise is conducted diligently for the benefit of qualified staffers. The general house of the Commission ratified the recommendations of the Appointment and Promotion Committee to enable all entitled staff to enjoy their due promotions.
The promotion exercise is a significant development in the judiciary sector of Kogi State. It is expected to boost the morale of the staff and improve their productivity. The Commission’s decision demonstrates its commitment to the welfare and career development of its staff. The judiciary staff have not enjoyed promotions since 2020, and this development will go a long way in addressing their concerns.
The Kogi State Judicial Service Commission’s decision to approve the promotion of 1,768 judiciary workers is a welcome development. The promotion exercise was exhaustive and inclusive, with the commitment of the three heads of court and the state’s Attorney-General. The Commission’s determination to ensure that judiciary staff are well motivated and will no longer suffer any backlog is commendable.
Key points
- The Kogi State Judicial Service Commission has approved the promotion of 1,768 judiciary workers to remedy the backlog of staff promotion which dated back to 2020.
- The promotion exercise covers Magistrates, Area Court Judges, Registrars, and other supporting staff across cadres and grade levels of the courts and the Commission.
- The Commission also approved the conversion of the Directorate of Finance and Supplies to the Directorate of Finance and Accounts in compliance with the state’s Executive Council directive.
