Magistrates Association Of Nigeria Nasarawa Chapt. Frowns At Transfer of Magistrate Over Issuance of Bench Warrant Against Commissioner, Demands Reversal

*Says Transfer Capable of Dampening Moral of Bar and Bench In Handling High Profile Cases

The Magistrates Association of Nigeria (M.A.N) Nassarawa State Branch has expressed its displeasure with the arrangement transferring a Magistrate, Aisha Abdullahi over the issuance of a bench warrant by her Worship against the state’s commissioner of Works, Housing and Transport, Engr. Idris Mohammed.

This was made known through a statement issued in Lafia, the capital of Nassawara State after an emergency meeting had been held by the Association’s Nassawara State Executive Committee, on 9th November, 2022.

The statement which was signed by Mairiga A. Abdullahi, and Emmanuel J. Gabi, the Chairman and Secretary of the State’s Branch of MAN, read thus:

“Sequel to the recent development in the judiciary particularly with regards to the Magistracy, the entire Magistrates and it executive frowns at the recent transfer of one of its members (Aisha Abdullahi) whilst a subsisting bench warrant was issued against a Defendant.”

According to the statement, the Magistracy and its executive were aware that transfer is a routine exercise in the judiciary, however, it noted that in this case, it had the tendency of dampening the moral of the judiciary.

“The recent transfer of Aisha Abdullahi is capable of dampening the moral of Magistrates and litigants when handling high profile matters”, the statement read.

The Association went on further to call on the relevant authorities to reverse the transfer .

“The Magistrates are calling on the authorities to, in the interest of fair hearing, Justice, and harmonious co-existence, to reconsider and reverse the recent posting of Aisha Abdullahi, as doing so will restore the confidence of Magistrates, litigants and the image of the judiciary at large.”