Suleiman Dikko

Suleiman Dikko (born 31 December 1955) is a Nigerian lawyer who is the current Chief Judge of Nasarawa State.^[1][2]  

In 2019, Dikko threatened to dismiss judges who arrive late in court for case hearings. He also warned the Nigerian Police that he would stop signing arrest warrants to the police for delayed prosecution of crime suspects already remanded in prison.^[3][4]

In February 2019, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) called for Dikko to be removed from his position as Chief Judge for illegal deductions from judiciary workers’ salaries.^[5] Later that month, Dikko was prevented from gaining access to his office for hours before eventual being allowed access to his office after pleading with protesting judiciary workers.^[6]

In May 2020, Dikko granted pardons to 20 inmates in Nasarawa State in a move to decongest prisons.^[7][8]

Career

Dikko was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 1986. He was appointed a Judge of the High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State in April 1986, presiding over High Court No.1.^[9]

References

1. "Justice Sulaiman Dikko Archives". TheCable. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
2. "Nasarawa Chief Judge discharges 14 inmates". Punch Newspapers. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
3. "Nasarawa CJ threatens to sanction judges over sitting late". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
4. "Prison Congestion: Nasarawa chief judge threatens to stop signing arrest warrants | Premium Times Nigeria". 2019-01-10. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
5. "JUSUN demands sack of Nasarawa chief judge". guardian.ng. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
6. "Protesting Workers Lock Nasarawa Chief Judge In His Office". Sahara Reporters. 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
7. "Nasarawa Chief Judge pardons 20 inmates | Premium Times Nigeria". 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
8. "Nasarawa Chief Judge Frees 16 Inmates". Channels Television. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
9. "The Judiciary – Official Website of Nasarawa State". Retrieved 2020-06-23.