Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has expressed pride in his administration’s partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other progressive organizations committed to improving citizens’ lives.
The Governor made this known at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association, Kebbi Branch (Equity Bar) Law Week 2026, themed “Justice Beyond Algorithms: Navigating Law and Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria’s Evolving Justice System,” held on Monday at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi.
Speaking during the remarkable ceremony, Governor Idris commended legal practitioners in the state for their support and cooperation in ensuring the effective administration of justice.
“In view of the strategic importance of the judiciary and the legal profession to my administration, I have deliberately addressed many of the challenges facing the administration of justice in Kebbi State since assuming office in 2023,” he said.
The Governor emphasized that his administration lifted the embargo on the recruitment of lawyers into the State Civil Service, leading to the employment of additional lawyers in the Ministry of Justice in 2023 and 2025.
He noted that the 2023 recruitment exercise was the first of its kind since 1995.
He further disclosed that his administration increased the Ministry of Justice’s monthly cash allocation from N1.4 million to N10 million, and raised the lawyers’ robe allowance from N13.9 million in 2023 to N79 million in 2026.
“These increases are also reflected in the robe allowances and cash allocations of the judiciary in the state.
“Between 2023 and 2024, we sponsored 25 lawyers to pursue Master’s degrees in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to strengthen the capacity of our law officers,” he added.
Governor Idris also stated that his administration provided 14 operational vehicles to the Ministry of Justice and sponsored all State Counsel for professional training in 2024 and 2025.
Additional operational vehicles were provided to the High Court, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), and the Shariah Court of Appeal.
He assured that his administration would continue to provide critical infrastructure to the judiciary to enhance access to justice, improve the quality and timeliness of justice delivery, strengthen public trust, and promote better coordination across justice sector institutions.
Also speaking, the Guest of Honour, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, thanked Governor Idris for his unwavering support toward strengthening the judiciary in the state.
He described the theme of the Law Week as timely and highly relevant, noting that while algorithms and artificial intelligence are increasingly used as problem-solving tools, justice must always uphold fairness, equality and impartiality.
In her keynote address, former Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie, CFR, JSC (Rtd), emphasized that while technology can support judicial processes, the essence of justice remains fundamentally human.
“Justice transcends algorithms. While machines may calculate, only human beings can truly exercise conscience, mercy and moral judgment,” she stated.
Also speaking, former National President of the NBA, Y. C. Maikyau, OON, SAN, expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded in the state’s judiciary.
He commended Governor Idris for his commitment to good governance and prayed for continued success throughout his tenure.
In his welcome address, the Kebbi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Junaidu Bello Marshall, described the Law Week as a significant milestone for the judiciary in the state and thanked the Governor for his consistent support and encouragement toward strengthening the justice sector.
