The Plateau State Governor, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the independence, welfare, and effective functioning of the judiciary. He called for the establishment of state police as the 2025/2026 Legal Year formally opened in Jos.
Declaring the new legal year open at the High Court Complex on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Governor Mutfwang celebrated the judiciary for marking another legal year and commended their integrity and healthy collaboration with the executive arm.
He emphasized the importance of judicial discretion, urging judges to wield it with wisdom and the fear of God.
“Judicial discretion is a very long rope. It can be used to rescue the vulnerable from oppression, but it can also entangle the one who misuses it. You therefore need to be guided by the ethics of your calling,” he admonished.
On welfare, Governor Mutfwang directed the Accountant General to clear all outstanding entitlements due to retired judges, assuring that his administration will address decade-long arrears of robe allowances and consider replacing aging official vehicles.
“We will continue to look into the welfare not only of our serving judicial officers, but also of those who retire, to ensure they do not retire into misery and penury,” he declared.
The Governor also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening security in Plateau State, announcing that 1,450 new personnel will soon be recruited into Operation Rainbow to bolster the state’s security architecture. He reiterated his support for state police:
“I make bold to say that when we do have state police, we can respond faster and arrest many situations better. I urge the National Assembly not to relent in this effort.”
Governor Mutfwang called for integrity at the Bar, charging legal practitioners to uphold their sacred duty as officers in the temple of justice. Sharing a personal anecdote, he cautioned against lawyers aiding clients in fraudulent cases, urging judges and lawyers to recommit themselves to justice, fairness, and service to humanity.
“Whenever they have need for medical attention, we will do all we can to ensure that our judges have a sound mind and a sound body in order to dispense justice appropriately. Approach this year with a determination to do better than you did last year,” he stated.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice explained that the judiciary has made strides in criminal justice, civil litigation, and property recovery. He appreciated the governor for approving the proposed ₦6 billion Judicial Office Complex, highlighting achievements in training and retraining judicial officers, and called for collaboration to advance the state.
The Chief Judge of Plateau State, Hon. Justice David Mann, described the Legal Year as a sacred moment for reflection, urging judges to live up to their mandate as the “last hope of the masses.”
He highlighted the rising number of cases and called for more judges, modernization, and digitization of the judicial system. He commended Governor Mutfwang for overhauling judicial infrastructure.
Bar Hassan Leah, Chairman of the NBA Jos Branch, on behalf of the four branches in the state, and Chief Pius Akubo (SAN), who spoke for the Inner Bar, both urged stronger cooperation between the Bench and the Bar.
