The judiciary, the very backbone of justice, has become the most neglected arm of government under the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
The Gombe State High Court, which is constitutionally mandated to operate with 20 judges when fully constituted, currently functions with only six. This shocking shortfall has crippled the administration of justice, creating endless delays in case resolution and denying citizens their constitutional right to fair and timely hearings.
Despite repeated appeals by the Chief Judge and interventions by the constitutionally empowered National Judicial Council (NJC) to commence the recruitment of additional judges, Governor Inuwa has consistently refused to grant approval. His obstructionism has precedent: in 2020, he refused to confirm Justice Beatrice Iliya as Chief Judge of the state, reportedly because of gender and religious bigotry.
Governor Inuwa’s refusal has nothing to do with legality or due process. Instead, it is rooted in selfish calculations. Appointing new judges requires investment in court infrastructure, judges’ residences, and official vehicles projects that provide little opportunity for inflated contracts or personal enrichment.
By contrast, the governor has had no hesitation in approving a staggering ₦68 billion contract for the construction of a new state secretariat in Gombe. This same project was initially bid at ₦30 billion by a contractor allegedly linked to him. The massive cost inflation has raised serious concerns, as it suggests possible personal enrichment of more than ₦30 billion from a single contract.
The collapse of the judiciary in Gombe State is not an accident. It is the deliberate result of neglect, corrupt priorities, and a governor who values self-enrichment and political patronage over the rule of law.
The victims of this tragedy are the people of Gombe left stranded without access to justice, while their resources are siphoned away into vanity projects.
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