(3rd from left) Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sulaiman Usman, SAN with the new Justices of Peace (JP) during the swearing in ceremony in Sokoto.
Sokoto State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Sulaiman Usman SAN, Life Bencher has sworn in five Justices of the Peace acting under the Sokoto State Preservation of Peace Law Cap. 104, Laws of Sokoto State 1996.
This was contained in a statement issued to press by the public relations officer of the Ministry of Justice, Sokoto State.
The five Justices of the Peace include: Wadata G. Muhammad, Esq; Mubarak Sidi Yahaya, Esq; Abubakar Moyi, Esq; Umar Aliyu, Esq; and Sufiyanu Umar Maikulki, Esq.
Mr Usman SAN said the swearing in is necessary in view of the determination of the Sokoto State Government to implement one of the laws of the State, to utilise to the fullest maintenance of public peace in the state because without peace there will be no harmony and development.
According to the honourable commissioner, under the Peace Preservation Laws cap 104 of Sokoto State as amended, a justice of the peace has the power to preserve the peace, prevent riots and affrays as well as disperse all disorderly and tumultuous assemblages.
The statement added that the justice of the peace has the power to hear traffic and other Class C misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, hears civil cases with up to ₦100,000.00 in controversy, landlord and tenant disputes, truancy cases, performs magistrate duties, conducts inquests and power to direct post-mortem examination, among others.
Others are powers, rights and duties of a magistrate under the law including but not limited to:
Issue summonses and warrants for compelling attendance of accused persons or witnesses.
Issue writ of summons and summons in civil causes
Admit to bail accused persons,
Issue search warrant
Take solemn affirmations and statutory declarations,
Issuing and Signing remand warrants..
The statement further said, the Governor shall have power to take necessary measures to preserve public peace throughout the state by orders and regulations under this law.”
