On July 25, 2019, Justice Adamu Abdu Kafarati bowed of the Federal high court bench for clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65 years. Because he left with unblemished record, authorities of the high court organized a befitting valedictory court session in his honour last week. The event was attended by creme de la creme of the legal profession who poured encomiums on him. For the celebrator, it was a poetic moment and time to reminisce on his activities while on the bench. Our Correspondent, KEHINDE OSASONA, was there.
Last week, dignitaries from all walks of life gathered at the Federal High Court Headquarters in Abuja to celebrate the immediate past Chief Judge of the court, Justice Abdu Kafarati who bowed out of the bench on July 25, this year. Prominent members of the bar and the bench took turn to shower accolades on the retired chief judge at the event.
Setting the ball rolling, the Acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho described his predecessor as someone who practiced an open-door policy, which readily accommodated all shades of persons and ideas.
He said, “My lord, the curtain has happily fallen on your glorious tenure which was full of achievements as manifested in your sojourn on the Bench of this court, and now, your Lordship has handed the court to me in good form. I heartily congratulate you on this feat,”
He continued his encomium: “My Lord had during his short time as Chief Judge made innovations towards speedy and efficient adjudication of matters.
“You caused amendment of the court rules, culminating in the new federal high court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019; and also put in place the AMCON Rules, and federal high court Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules.
“Again, you issued directives against the grant of injunctive exparte orders with regard to election matters before the federal high court. This immensely helped to minimize rancour in the process of litigation over pre-election matters before the court.
“On the welfare of judges and staff, the Honourable Justice Kafarati also improved on it and ensured that the legacies and policies of his predecessors in office are further strengthened, just as he practiced an open-door policy, which readily accommodated all shades of persons and ideas,” Tsoho added.
Encomium by the AGF
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami was also full of praises for the legal icon when it was his turn to speak at the occasion. Although, he was unavoidably absent, he was ably represented and an address was read on his behalf.
Malami who described the occasion as celebration of great icon, did not forget to add that he did contribute to the development of not only his constituency, the judiciary but also helped contribute in sustaining the development of the country’s nascent democracy.
He described him as ‘Pillar of support as judge of high court and later chief judge of the federal high court.
He said, “Kafarati’s courage, focus and hardworking disposition have helped in impacting the institution greatly and has left a legacy behind.
“His contribution to the rule of law and democracy according to Justice Tsoho has contributed to making Nigeria a society of peace.
Connecting the Bar, Bench and the executive
At the event, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) used the opportunity to say that as much as trial courts are doing their best, it is time only constitutional matters were allowed to get to the Supreme Court.
The body equally advocated that each state of the federation should be allowed to own its Court of Appeal, saying carrying over of cases in court should be discouraged, saying that it can only lead to denial of justice.
The Chairman of the body, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN) who was represented by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), further called for the establishment of the constitutional court in order to decongest work load in nation’s regular courts.
According to the body, when the constitutional court is established, it will effectively handle pre and post-election cases, leaving other courts to adjudicate in civil and criminal cases.
Explaining further, he advocated that each state of the federation should have its own Court of Appeal and that only constitutional matters should be allowed to go to the Supreme Court.
He said, “The revelation by the Federal High Court that over 16, 000 cases were carried over from 2019 to 2020 legal year with many of the cases filed over four years ago is a trend that must not be allowed any longer because it can lead to denial of justice.
“Decongestion in all the courts has become a great burden, a source of concern and embarrassment. In the Supreme Court, only political cases are being heard on a daily basis.
“Indeed, every day, on the cause list of the Supreme Court, there are about 12 to 15 cases for hearing. The Court of Appeal in all the divisions is daily preoccupied with pre and post-election cases.
Awomolo did not forget to call on the Bar and the Bench to push for a constitutional amendment to back up the establishment of the suggested constitutional court.
The man Kafarati, his profile
In his response, the very elated Kafarati, started with an aphorism, saying; “The world is nothing but a stage where everyone has a part to play”
According to him, “We should all strive to play it well”
He said, “The prayer of every reasonable head of an institution would be to leave the institution better than he met it. I feel good to say I am handing over the court to my successor better than I met it. This no doubt is the high point of my career leaving this court better than it was handed over to me by my predecessor despite my short tenure.
Hon. Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati was born on 25th July, 1954 at Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State. He attended Kafarati Primary School from 1962 -1968 before enrolling at Government Secondary School, Gombe from 1969-1973.
He later attended North East College of Arts and Science Maiduguri from 1973 -1975. He obtained his LL.B from Ahmadu Bello University between 1975 and 1978 and his B.L from The Nigerian Law School, Lagos between 1978 and 1979.
He started his career as a Legal Trainee from 1978-1979 before he proceeded for his National Youth Service at Akure from 1979-1980.
Thereafter, he worked as State Counsel I & II and was a Senior State Counsel I in the Ministry of Justice, Bauchi State Development Board from 1984-1986.
He was appointed as the Secretary to Bauchi State Development Board from 1984 – 1986. And he was subsequently promoted and thus became the Principal State Counsel (notionally) from 1986-1988 and was Assistant Administrator General in 1988.
In October 1991, he was elevated as a Judge of the Federal High Court.In 2018, the Nigerian senate confirmed Justice Adamu Kafarati as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Hon. Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati held various positions in Judicial Divisions of the Federal High Court from 1992 till July 25 when he bowed out of office. He participated in several workshops, seminars and conferences. His hobbies are Reading and Farming.
