FCT Customary Court of Appeal introduces law report

The Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) has inaugurated its maiden law report, containing its
decisions on customary disputes through the interpretation of
customary laws applicable in the FCT.

The court unveiled the report last Thursday at a well-attended
valedictory court session held in honour of the court’s President,
Justice Moses Abu Bello, who retired on attaining the mandatory
retirement age.

Speakers, including the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General
of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN); his FCT
counterpart, Muhammed Bello; Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Ishaq
Bello and Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori
hailed the retiring Justice Bello for his contribution to the
development of the court.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Chief Judges of
Nasarawa and Kogi states – Suleiman Dikko and Nasiru Ajanah; Grand
Kadi of Kaduna State, Justice Shehu Ahmed, Alex Iziyon (SAN),
Israel Olorundare (SAN) and Sunday Ameh (SAN).

Presenting the law report, the FCT Chief Judge commended the
initiative, which he said would help preserve the customary law and
serve as a ready reference material for lawyers and researchers on
that branch of law.

He eulogised the court’s retiring president for his contribution
to the growth of the court, which now has 44 courts within the FCT
and by so doing, assisted it by taking justice closer to the
people.

The FCT CJ noted that the retiring Justice Bello will always be
remembered for his development and promotion of the customary court
and customary law in the FCT.

The AGF described the retiring Justice Bello as a distinguished
jurist, who has contributed immensely to the development of
customary laws in Nigeria.

Malami said Justice Bello’s dedication to duty and commitment to
the growth of his court will serve as inspiration to lawyers and
judges alike. Malami described him as a “rare jurist of substance
and calibre, recognised by the judiciary and the nation”.

The FCT Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary
of the FCT, Christian Ohaa, congratulated Justice Bello for exiting
service with his integrity intact, after a deserving service to his
fatherland.

He noted that Justice Bello’s tenure had been an eventful one as
he succeeded in weathering the storm and addressed most of the
challenges associated with customary laws in the FCT.

The FCT Minister noted that Justice Bello’s many pronouncements
on customary disputes will serve as a ready guide for others,
particularly judges and lawyers on issues relating to chieftaincy
matters.

Sani-Omolori, who described Justice Bello as a man who has
impacted positively on those around him, said he has discharged
himself creditably well as a judicial officer. He prayed God to
continue to guide him.

Justice Moses Bello, who became the court’s pioneer President in
1992, thanked God for the opportunity granted him to serve at that
level and his contribution to the court’s growth.

He said: “I am pleased to state that we now have 44 functional
Customary Courts spread across the FCT with state-of-the-art court
room facilities.

“Of particular joy to me is the passage into law, by the
National Assembly, of the Customary Court of Appeal of the FCT,
Abuja (Jurisdiction on Chieftaincy matters) Act, 2011, which
conferred on the FCT Customary Court of Appeal’s original
jurisdiction to hear and determine chieftaincy matters in the FCT
to the exclusion to any other court.”

The Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) has inaugurated its maiden law report, containing its
decisions on customary disputes through the interpretation of
customary laws applicable in the FCT.

The court unveiled the report last Thursday at a well-attended
valedictory court session held in honour of the court’s President,
Justice Moses Abu Bello, who retired on attaining the mandatory
retirement age.

Speakers, including the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General
of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN); his FCT
counterpart, Muhammed Bello; Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Ishaq
Bello and Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori
hailed the retiring Justice Bello for his contribution to the
development of the court.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Chief Judges of
Nasarawa and Kogi states – Suleiman Dikko and Nasiru Ajanah; Grand
Kadi of Kaduna State, Justice Shehu Ahmed, Alex Iziyon (SAN),
Israel Olorundare (SAN) and Sunday Ameh (SAN).

Presenting the law report, the FCT Chief Judge commended the
initiative, which he said would help preserve the customary law and
serve as a ready reference material for lawyers and researchers on
that branch of law.

He eulogised the court’s retiring president for his contribution
to the growth of the court, which now has 44 courts within the FCT
and by so doing, assisted it by taking justice closer to the
people.

The FCT CJ noted that the retiring Justice Bello will always be
remembered for his development and promotion of the customary court
and customary law in the FCT.

The AGF described the retiring Justice Bello as a distinguished
jurist, who has contributed immensely to the development of
customary laws in Nigeria.

Malami said Justice Bello’s dedication to duty and commitment to
the growth of his court will serve as inspiration to lawyers and
judges alike. Malami described him as a “rare jurist of substance
and calibre, recognised by the judiciary and the nation”.

The FCT Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary
of the FCT, Christian Ohaa, congratulated Justice Bello for exiting
service with his integrity intact, after a deserving service to his
fatherland.

He noted that Justice Bello’s tenure had been an eventful one as
he succeeded in weathering the storm and addressed most of the
challenges associated with customary laws in the FCT.

The FCT Minister noted that Justice Bello’s many pronouncements
on customary disputes will serve as a ready guide for others,
particularly judges and lawyers on issues relating to chieftaincy
matters.

Sani-Omolori, who described Justice Bello as a man who has
impacted positively on those around him, said he has discharged
himself creditably well as a judicial officer. He prayed God to
continue to guide him.

Justice Moses Bello, who became the court’s pioneer President in
1992, thanked God for the opportunity granted him to serve at that
level and his contribution to the court’s growth.

He said: “I am pleased to state that we now have 44 functional
Customary Courts spread across the FCT with state-of-the-art court
room facilities.

“Of particular joy to me is the passage into law, by the
National Assembly, of the Customary Court of Appeal of the FCT,
Abuja (Jurisdiction on Chieftaincy matters) Act, 2011, which
conferred on the FCT Customary Court of Appeal’s original
jurisdiction to hear and determine chieftaincy matters in the FCT
to the exclusion to any other court.”