Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has expressed dismay at the state judiciary for granting bail to suspected bandit leaders arrested with weapons, alleging interference from powerful figures in Abuja. According to the governor, these influential individuals had assured the bandit suspects of their imminent release soon after their arrest.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of new magistrates in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Governor Lawal criticized the judicial process that led to the bail of the suspected bandit leaders. He disclosed that one of the suspects was apprehended in Bauchi State, while the other was arrested in Gusau, and both were arraigned before the court.
Governor Lawal urged the newly sworn-in judicial officers to uphold integrity and honesty in the execution of their duties, emphasizing the need to serve the collective interests of law-abiding citizens. He highlighted the prevailing security challenges in Zamfara State, including banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling, urging the judiciary to contribute effectively to addressing these issues.
In response, Justice Kulu Aliyu, the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, charged the newly appointed magistrates to uphold honesty and dedication in promoting the judiciary’s image. She emphasized the importance of integrity in their work, stressing that public scrutiny demands high standards from judicial officers.
Governor Lawal’s criticism comes amid his ongoing concerns about insecurity in Zamfara State, where he has previously lamented that influential individuals from Abuja are negotiating with bandits without his knowledge. He reiterated that such negotiations have exacerbated security challenges in the state.
