Lawyers in Bauchi state under the aegis of the ‘Young Lawyers Forum’ (YLF) have lamented the total abolition of area courts in the state, saying the action truncated and frustrated the dispensation of justice to many people.
Speaking with newsmen Wednesday, the Bauchi state chairman of the forum Barrister Abbas Muazu who made the observation said although the forum welcomed the establishment of Sharia courts which replaced the defunct area courts, communities that are predominantly inhabited by non Muslims in the state should have area courts where they can seek justice.
Muazu particularly advocated the enactment of a law that could restore the presence and operation of area or customary courts in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local governments ‘who rejected the introduction of Sharia courts at the time of their establishment’ on the ground that it was contrary to their faith.
“The affected communities have been given nothing in lieu of the Area courts taken away from them. The magistrate courts in those communities have serious judicial limitations in the jurisdiction they exercise.
“Islamic personal law cannot operate in Bogoro local government area, and few indigenous Muslims there cannot get justice elsewhere in matters of such nature. Most people in the affected communities are not literate enough to seek justice in the magistrate or district courts which conduct their proceedings in English and English alone,” he opined.
The forum noted that Sharia in its application is only meant for Muslims adding that the non Muslims communities of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local governments rejected it but still area courts are not restored to them.
The lawyers forum pointed out that the development has narrowed the path of those communities to justice as they only have to make do with the magistrate or district courts which operate in English language and have little presence in the areas.
“And because of the legal technicalities that lie on the way to these courts, the zeal to seek justice where the need arises is taken away from the minds of many people of these areas who are mostly illiterates”. He said.
Muazu said their organization has written a letter to the state house of assembly and copied same to the state Governor and Chief judge calling for the urgent review of the law abolishing area courts within the state.
