Governor Darius Ishaku has said the State is
blessed with eminent jurists who have done the
State proud especially the outgoing Chief Justice
of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed.
He said that Justice Mohammed has not only
creditably discharged his duties, but has become
a profound reference point in jurisprudence.

The Governor, in a statement by his Senior
Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Emmanuel
Bello said, “ Justice Mohammed is a real Taraba
hero and a man we have no proper words to
describe. If you say he is detribalized, that’s
an understatement. If you call him just and
fair, you are but stating the obvious. Here is a
man who is not swayed by any primordial
considerations of tribe, religion or social status.
He is down to earth, humane and highly cerebral.
In his persona, we feel all that is perfect in us as
a people. We see Justice Mohammed and know
in our hearts that we are indeed a great people.”
Further eulogising the renown legal luminary,
Governor Ishaku noted that although Justice
Mohammed bows out in November, his absence
is already being felt.

According to him, “I really don’t know who can
actually match Justice Mohammed in this
capacity. His exit from the position would surely
be viewed as the end of an era that can not be
easily replicated. Is it his fear of God, his
forthrightness, his deep contempt for opulence,
his penchant for the truth, his loyalty to the
constitution or his love for his fellow man? He
exemplifies the best in his chosen profession
and has walked in the wisdom of God in dealing
with judgments.”

Going down memory lane, Governor Ishaku said
Justice Mohammed had often taken decisions
not viewed as popular or politically correct. “If
you analyse many of his positions,” Ishaku said,
“you would find a distinct element; the ability to
take a stand that might not be popular but is the
truth.”
Adding that, “In our state, he has often shocked
some who believe he would be swayed by
artificial barriers in passing judgments. Rather,
he normally shatters the glass ceiling, daring the
status quo and making historic decisions to the
delight of the majority of our people. That was
the zeal and hard work he brought to the
national stage. We are proud of his
accomplishments; we celebrate the momentum
he has generated, and we hold him dear as a
worthy representative of our land.”
Governor Ishaku who urged legal practitioners to
emulate the virtues of Justice Mohammed
observed that Taraba State would find the best
ways possible to honour the illustrious “son of
the soil.”

He said, “Justice Mohammed is, no doubt, a
citizen of the legal world but we in Taraba State
proudly consider him first as our own. He has
always been an inspiration to many of our legal
practitioners. No wonder our State can boast of
its fair share of dazzling stars in that sphere.
Which brings me to the apt appointment,
yesterday, of Justice Paul Galumje, another
bonafide son of the soil.”
Governor Ishaku described the appointment as
not only fitting but necessary. “Justice Galumje
brings to the Supreme Court the same Taraba
State spirit of service, excellence, and dedication.
I can only congratulate President Muhammadu
Buhari, for making a decision clearly based on
merit and goodwill beyond the shadows of
sentiments. I also rejoice with the legal world
who are indeed energised by Justice Galumje’s
entry.
The Governor stressed that, “Right from his days
in the
State, Justice Galumje had stood out as another
symbol of blind justice, exceptionally standing
out and rising above the fray. His elevation didn’t
come as a surprise to the denizens of the
profession. Instead, this appointment once more
has reinvigorated the base, gladdened the hearts
of Taraba citizens and demonstrated the
independence the judiciary has truly experienced
under the outgoing CJN.”