Some Taraba Magistrates Go to Court on Keke, No Official Vehicles Since Suntai Era — Lawyer, Influencer Appeal to Kefas
Taraba News
Fresh calls have been made for the Taraba State Government to improve the welfare, mobility and security of magistrates across the state, with a human rights lawyer and a social media influencer separately urging Governor Agbu Kefas to intervene.
Human rights and public interest lawyer Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi, Esq., in a goodwill message marking Taraba State’s 35th anniversary, appealed to Governor Kefas and the leadership of the Taraba State House of Assembly to give greater attention to the welfare and security of magistrates.
In his letter dated August 28, 2026, Maihanchi said many magistrates in Taraba lack official vehicles and consequently depend on commercial transportation, including Keke NAPEP, despite the sensitive nature of their responsibilities.
He argued that the situation goes beyond convenience, noting that a magistrate presiding over criminal matters could potentially find himself or herself sharing commercial transportation with an accused person, dissatisfied litigant or former convict.
According to him, the situation raises concerns about the personal security of magistrates, the dignity of the Bench and public confidence in the administration of justice.
Maihanchi recalled that official vehicles were provided to magistrates during the administration of the late Governor Danbaba Suntai and appealed for adequate budgetary provision for vehicles, improved security arrangements and better welfare for magistrates.
He stressed that supporting judicial officers was essential to strengthening the rule of law and the state’s constitutional institutions.
Separately, social media influencer Abdulmumini Imma raised similar concerns, comparing the situation in Taraba with steps reportedly taken by neighbouring Adamawa and Niger states.
Imma said Adamawa State had provided 23 SUVs to judicial officers, while Niger State Governor Umaru Bago had also provided official vehicles for magistrates.
He questioned why Taraba magistrates had allegedly not received official vehicles since the Suntai administration while political appointees, including commissioners, have access to government vehicles.
“Are Magistrates not human? Is justice less important than politics? A strong judiciary deserves more than promises,” Imma said.
He suggested that even if the government could not immediately purchase vehicles outright, it should consider introducing a vehicle loan scheme for magistrates.
Imma also criticised what he described as the government’s greater attention to the welfare of politicians and called on Governor Kefas to extend similar consideration to judicial officers whose work is central to the administration of justice.
The two interventions, although made separately, converge on concerns over the welfare, mobility and security of magistrates in Taraba State and the need for the state government and legislature to address the situation.
Maihanchi, while making his appeal, nevertheless acknowledged some interventions of the Kefas administration, particularly in education and security, before urging the governor to extend attention to the lower bench.
