My dad, Justice Musa B. Abdul is retiring today being the 15th
day of May, 2019 from the services of Niger State Judiciary. I know
it’s un-african for one to blow his trumpet but this has to be one
of those rare moments where pride should be accommodated. As a son,
I am very proud of where my father is standing today and I write
every of the words in this with all sense of humility. I have never
seen a man that’s so conscious of his reputation as he is and to
Allah be the glory, he’s drawing the curtain on a very remarkable
note.
One of the many lessons I learnt from my dad is that what one
becomes in life is a function of who you are and as I pen this
down, I am not unmindful of the fact that no amount of eulogy or
words can do justice to who he has been both as an individual and
as a professional. However, I feel that sense of obligation to
first, celebrate him and more importantly share within the space of
my knowledge the story of his illustrious career with a bewildered
generation. It could inspire a lot in their personal and
professional lives.
It is said that destiny defines and shapes our exploits in life.
Indeed, destiny has played a huge role in the career exploits of my
dad. He had his early education in Bida and Agaie towns
respectively. In fact, they were the first set of students of Dendo
Secondary School, Agaie. At the time, there were no structures but
it was still run as a boarding school. One can only imagine their
suffering at the time. After Secondary education, he left for
Sokoto under the tutelage of Late Alhaji Umaru Gbate; one of his
dad’s confidants in order to further his educational pursuit. He
was enrolled in School of Nursing, Sokoto.
His sojourn in Sokoto was short as Mid-way through his nursing
school, he had a change in interest and switched to study Law. The
story of why he opted for law will be told another day. First, it
was a diploma in Law, then Later LLB from the prestigious Faculty
of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In-between obtaining
Diploma and LLB, he started his professional career with the Niger
State Judiciary; a career that has spanned the last four decades.
Upon graduation, he had job offers from different organizations but
opted to continue his service with Niger State.
As a state counsel and member of the bench, my dad’s commitment
to his work was unequalled. As a state counsel, he could keep late
nights researching and this made him a delight to watch and listen
to any time he was in the courtroom. His commitment surged upon his
appointment as a member of the bench. He kept lengthy hours and
late nights doing research, drafting rulings and judgments. Never
the type to be found wanting on deadlines. In fact, when the
erstwhile CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar set a minimum quarterly target
of judgments to be delivered by members of the bench, my dad was
unperturbed and true to his character, he consistently met
expectation. In the years he spent on the bench and even before,
professionalism was the hallmark of his engagements with all and
sundry.
My dad is incorruptible and an advocate of good governance. Even
when the integrity of Judiciary was put into test, we never nursed
any fear because of who we know him to be. I think he deserves all
encomiums for the selfless years he has sacrificed for Niger; a
State he loves so dearly. Nothing could convince him to leave the
State despite the temptation of greener pastures. Once, at the
Judicial Institute Abuja, a friend of his said, let us pray that
the proposed 70 year retirement age for judges of high court pass
through, and my dad simply said, “I AM NOT LOOKING BEYOND THE 65
YEAR MARK, I ONLY PRAY THAT I END WELL.”My dad is still the longest
serving Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the history of
Niger State. He spent more than 10 years on that position. There
were times that some of his close friends particularly, the late
Justice Mamman Kolo (his friend of over forty years) of blessed
memory tried to encourage him to join the federal civil service but
he had his mind fixed on one goal; the bench in Niger State and to
the glory of the Almighty, that has come to pass.
I have never met a man so simple as my father. He relates with
anyone that crosses his path without any prejudice. He would always
have very hearty conversation with shoemakers and his security men.
His respect for his superiors is second to none. His subordinates
at work will tell you that there is hardly a dull moment with
Justice MB Abdul. If the graph of his life were to be drawn, it’ll
be found to be a steady straight line graph; taken everything as it
comes. Never in haste for anything because of his belief in destiny
and in the invisible hands of Allah (SWT). His simplicity wouldn’t
allow him to pass some of his perennial responsibilities to a third
party. On weekends, you’ll find him at the mechanic workshop when
the need arises. He goes to market to shop for the family and
attends to all his domestic responsibilities no matter the demand
of time. Even when he does things that we find below his status, he
would simply say “No condition is permanent”. He’s always a visible
face in social gatherings around the state. For Justice Musa Abdul,
what you see is what you get. For him, you can judge a book by its
cover!
I have learnt so many things from my dad but the most important
is his level of faith and belief in His Creator, his contentment,
honesty and value for relationships. We have asked him to push for
the sale of the official residence of judges at GRA Bida but his
reply was “I have been a beneficiary of two houses from Niger State
Government, I would not usurp the opportunity of others”. He never
allowed anyone of us to drive his official vehicle until after it
became his. He would ritually buy at least 2 Newspapers daily and
when my younger sibling asked him why he does that, his answer was
typical of him: Government gives me monthly allowance to buy
Newspapers, if I don’t, my conscience will not be clear”. I also
remember one valuable lesson he taught us while growing up and that
is to manage our expectations from people in power. He will always
say “Á friend in power is a lost friend” and because of such
disposition, he rarely gets disappointed by people. Interestingly,
he has maintained the same circle of friends for ages. I am a very
proud son because he’s also a proud son of his father. Almost forty
years after the death of his father, our grandfather has remained a
reference point in all his conversations, be it in family or
religious circles.
He is leaving the judiciary with a trail of glory; glory in
service to our creator and in service to humanity. As he opens yet
another chapter in his life, I wish my dad a very fulfilling
retirement.
–Abdullahi member-elect for Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal
Constituency, is the first son of Justice MB Abdul