Plateau State has strengthened its judiciary with the swearing-in of six new High Court judges, a move Governor Caleb Mutfwang described as vital to safeguarding democracy and protecting citizens’ rights.

The ceremony, held at the Victoria Gowon Auditorium in the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, formally inducted Justices Maikai Andrawus, Kparbong Tongret Nanman, Nkwap Diane Ngummai, Mantu John Ishaku, Bature Gavou Musa, and Mallam Kingsley Mangai into the Plateau State High Court bench.

Mutfwang told the gathering of legal practitioners, senior government officials, and traditional leaders that the appointments were more than routine administrative actions. He framed them as a deliberate effort to reinforce the rule of law at a time when public confidence in institutions is being tested across the country.

He stressed that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and that the quality, integrity, and independence of judges directly shape how citizens perceive justice. The governor noted that the new judges emerged through a rigorous process anchored by the National Judicial Council and guided by constitutional provisions, saying their elevation reflected years of professional competence and personal integrity.

Charging them to dispense justice without fear or favour, Mutfwang reminded the judges that their rulings would carry consequences far beyond the courtroom. He urged them to be guided by the Constitution and their conscience, pointing out that their decisions would influence lives, resolve disputes, preserve social order, and either strengthen or weaken public trust in democratic institutions.

The governor used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to judicial independence. He pledged continued support to improve court infrastructure, enhance the welfare of judicial officers, and back reforms aimed at faster and more efficient justice delivery. He also disclosed that the state had cleared outstanding gratuity arrears owed to retired judges, describing the gesture as a moral obligation to those who had served with honour.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Justice Maikai Andrawus promised that the new judges would uphold the highest standards of professionalism, place public interest above personal considerations, and remain firmly anchored in the rule of law. The judges, drawn from Kanam, Langtang, Shendam, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos local government areas, are expected to ease the workload on existing courts and expand access to justice across Plateau State.