CURRENT COMMISSION CHAIRMAN
Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi
Chairman, Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Kogi State
Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, the present Chief Judge of Kogi State, was born in Okene on the 29th of June 1959 to the family of Pa Majebi of Okengwe in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi started his Primary School education at St. Paul’s I. L.E.A. School in Okengwe in 1972. He got his First School Leaving Certificate after attending the foundational school and proceeded to the Igbirra Anglican College, Okene for his Secondary School education upon which he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1977.
He went on to obtain a Diploma in Law in 1980 from the Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin, before studying at the Faculty of Law of the University of Jos where he graduated with LLB Hons. in 1983. He was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1984 after attending the Nigeria Law School, Lagos in the same year.
After successfully passing through the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps program with the Ministry of Justice of Imo State, in 1985, Hon. Justice Majebi’s working career began with the Kwara State Ministry of Justice where he served as State Counsel from 1986 up to 1991 when the present Kogi State was carved out of the old Kwara and Benue States. He started with the new Kogi State Ministry of Justice as State Counsel I and progressed to be Principal Legal Officer (1991-1997); Chief Legal Officer (1994); Deputy Director, Civil Litigation (1994-1997); Acting Director, Legal Drafting (1997-1998) and Acting Director, Public Prosecution (1998) up to 1999 when he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Justice of Kogi State. He was sworn-in as a Judge of the Kogi State High Court of Justice by the Kogi State Government in 1999.
He was first appointed as the Acting Chief Judge of Kogi State with effect from 26th June, 2022 before his confirmation on 3rd March, 2023 as the substantive Chief Judge of Kogi State.
As a High Court Judge, His Lordship has served in various jurisdictions across the State in the following High Court of Justice divisions in the state:
- High Court of Justice, Isanlu: 1999 – 2009
- High Court of Justice, Idah: 2009 – 2013
- High Court of Justice, Okene: 2013 – 2020
- High Court of Justice, Lokoja: 2020 – Date.
Since becoming a Judge, Hon. Justice Majebi has also satisfactorily served both his state and the nation in other judicial capacities and without blemish. He has served variously either as chairman or member of judicial commissions, committees, tribunals etc.
He served the Kogi State Government in this capacity as: Member of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the Kabba Disturbances (September, 1994); Member, Judicial Commission of Enquiry into Disturbance in Ebiraland (January, 1997); Chairman, Kogi State Rent Tribunal, Lokoja Zone (July, 1997); Member, White Paper Drafting Committee on the Report of the Committee to Workout Modalities for the Appointment of Any Future Ologori of Ogori (April, 1998); Secretary, Central Planning Committee on the Installation and Presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland (July, 1998); Monitoring Officer for the 1999 Presidential Election at Ankpa (February, 1999) and Chairman, Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Civil Disturbances in Ogane-Nigwu, Ojuwo-Ajimadi and Agbenema-Ife Communities of Kogi State (March, 2018).
His lordship has also served the Federal Republic of Nigeria severally as Member, Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Jigawa State (May, 2007); Member of the Second Panel, Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Osun State (November, 2007); Member, Retrial Panel of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Abia State (July, 2008); Member, Retrial Panel of the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Lagos State (December, 2008); Member, Retrial Panel of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Anambra State (May, 2009); Member, Retrial Panel of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Rivers State (August, 2009); Member, Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Bayelsa State (January, 2010) and Chairman, Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for Cross-River State (March, 2019);
Meanwhile, as an acknowledged jurist and advocate of integrity and transparency with an uncommon and uncompromising stance against corruption, Justice Majebi has been the designated judge handling corruption cases at the High Court of Justice of Kogi State since February, 2008.
For the diligent discharge of responsibilities entrusted on him in the past, the current Chief Judge of Kogi State has received honors, commendations and accolades in appreciation of dexterity in delivery of responsibilities by his appointing entities and the general public. From the professional home front, the National Judicial Council twice commended his lordship in two consecutive years (March, 2008 and October, 2009), for delivering quite a number of judgments (seven and six respectively) in the affected quarters of the years despite being on Election Petitions Tribunal duties.
In the same vein, the Court of Appeal, through its President, Hon. Justice Zainab A. Bulkachuwa (Rtd.), commended Justice Majebi for his “appreciable and commendable role played in 2019 Election Tribunal” and his “immense contribution towards achieving a sustainable Democracy and Independent Judiciary in Nigeria.”
His immediate constituency, the Judiciary of Kogi State, has not been left out in the numerous honors his lordship has enjoyed. the state Judiciary appreciated him for his excellent performance in disposing off substantial number of cases during the Kogi State High Court Appeal Session in Ankpa in June, 2002 and for also making the judiciary of Kogi State proud of his diligence to duty and comportment as an Ideal Judge. The judiciary of Kogi State expressed these appreciations through the pioneer Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Umaru A. Eri, OFR, CON (Rtd).
Hon. Justice Majebi’s commitment and diligence was also acknowledged by the Kogi State Government when in November, 1997, the state rewarded him for his hard work, diligence, comprehensiveness and devotion to duty over the assignment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Disturbances in Ebiraland. The commendation came through the office of the then Military Administrator, Col. Bziqu Lassa Afakriya.
The current Chief Judge of Kogi State who enjoys reading and playing table tennis as hobbies has attended over thirty-five (35) courses, conferences, workshops and seminars which has taken him across the regions of the country and continents of the globe.
Aside the performance of the holy pilgrim, Hon. Justice Majebi’s devotion to his Christian faith has not only been limited to practice alone as he has been an integral part of the activities if the church plying significant roles in congregational unification and progressively role modeling younger generations among the faithful.
As a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he held different positions in the church which depended on where he was professionally located and how needful he was to the region particularly his vital position in the advancement of the principles of the church. He has notably been playing this part long before becoming a Judge and began even as far back as 1997 to date. A few amongst those roles include being RCCG’s Acting in-charge of the King’s Parish, Lokoja between 1997 and 1999; being the Acting Area Pastor of the church for Yabga East Area in January, 2000 and been made, in October of the same year, the Pastor for Model Area, Isanlu in addition. The following year, 2001, he became an Acting Zonal Pastor for the Yabga Zone and up till date, he remains the National Church Growth Officer of the church having become a Province Church Growth Officer since May, 2010.
Other prominent and exalted positions held by his lordship in the RCCG was as a Member of the Province Council of the church for Kogi Province 2, Okene in May, 2011 and Chairman, Provincial Missions Board, Province 2, Okene in November, 2015.
As a philanthropist who gives the needy modestly, he has equally attracted several appreciations from the church and the communities he has served. He has been honoured by the church for his generosity and personal encouragements demonstrated in material gifts to the Province through the mission drivers. Likewise, the Diocese of Okene Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) appreciated his single-handed and landmark renovation of its college staff Common Room in August, 2017.
On the community front, the African Theological Education Network Honorius decorated him as an “Ambassador of Peace” in September, 2013 for an exceptional and excelling leadership with ATEN’S while the Ovidi Communications also honored him, in April, 2016, for supporting her Radio operations with monthly donation of diesel to aid the continuous broadcast of programmes that were aimed at uniting and uplifting the people.
Hon. Justice Majebi, a quintessential jurist of many parts’ dedication and commitment to duty in the fair and fearless adjudication of justice in the state without favour culminated in a career objective of strengthening judiciary integrity. This philosophy has metamorphosed into carrying all the Judges of the state judiciary along as brothers in the administration of the third arm of government since he became the Chief Judge of Kogi State. The novel transformation of Kogi State Judiciary was his establishment of the Council of Judges for the state that has been helping him in pursuing an unprecedented mission of restoring the integrity of the Judiciary of Kogi State. He is seen to be achieving same within a short period of ascending the leadership of the judiciary.
Beginning from the first day of his appointment, Kogi State Judiciary has not been the same again. His remarks on inauguration laid the foundation for unprecedented milestones and landmark achievements.
His achievements in the two years period include but are not limited to the following milestones which boarders on institutional repositioning, infrastructural development, staff welfare, prudency, accountability and others that have enormously taken Kogi State judiciary to another height:
As at the time he took over the mantle of leadership of the state’s judiciary on 27th June, 2022, the High Court of Justice was seriously overwhelmed with indebtedness, mainly from banks and private lenders. But through effective financial management, the inherited debts have all been fully paid off.
Hon. Justice Mejabi rejigged the Judicial Service Commission by injecting reliable, reputable and experienced individuals with a clearly defined mandate of focusing on merit-based appointments, discipline, and career progression for all staff of Kogi State Judiciary.
The Repositioning of the Administration of Justice in the Area Court system through amendment of some provisions of the Area Court Edit of 1991 into a new Area Court Law, 2024 that is in tandem with the present socio-political realities was achieved and assented to by the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.
At the Directorate of Probate, the Hon. CJ ordered a comprehensive review of procedures for faster processing of Letters of Administration. He ensured Practical Training Programs on Probate Administration for the Probate Registrars in order to apply best global practices in the probate processes.
On staff promotion, when CJ assumed office, he directed that all laid down rules and regulations be applied and whoever qualifies should be appropriately promoted. While emphasis was placed on discipline, dedication, diligence and good conduct, all staff due for promotion were immediately promoted following the report of the Committee on Complaints over Promotion, Appointment and Seniority headed by Hon. Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye now retired.
The Hon. CJ has done massively well in establishing new courts and upgrading and renovation of some old ones some within the short period of time he has spent as CJ. In conjunction with the state government, he ensured the renovation of the number one Court Room, the CJ’s chamber and the Conference Hall at the judiciary headquarters such that all furniture and electronics were replaced. Same is ongoing in some courts at the moment.
As an ardent believer in the pursuit of staff welfare and in order to achieve his aim, the CJ established The Directorate of Staff Welfare Services saddled with the responsibility of remuneration and other welfare services to the judiciary workers.
The Directorate of Revenue Services established and charged with the responsibility of overseeing and checking the revenue collection processes of the High Court of Justice as well as maintaining and keeping proper revenue records doubles in checking fraud all towards boosting the state revenue. Since his assumption of office there has been tremendous improvement in return of cases and revenue.
The Directorate of Audit was established to oversee the accurate record of the court’s assets and take proper and regular inventory of Judiciary properties for the sake of accountability just as a Security and Surveillance Unit was established under the Directorate of Protocol to act as watchdog in all courts in order to inject disciple.
The Hon Chief Judge, upon assumption of office, took it as a matter of urgent importance to ensure that Band A (33 KVA) power supply was connected to the headquarters with a new transformer installed in order to maximize man-hour and to make working environment more conducive for workers.
Despite the above, the Hon. CJ still delivers land mark judgments in decisions that have contributed largely to shaping the socio-economic projections of the state. One of such decision was on the proposed concession of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO). The court extended a restraining order and warned parties involved in the motion on notice filed by the Attorney-General of the state against the Attorney-General of the Federation and five others on the concession process. Hon. Justice Majebi, presiding over the case with file number HCL/211M/2023, asked parties involved not to flaunt the order of the court restraining the federal government from continuing with the concession process.
Lastly, it must be mentioned that the CJ who is widely travelled has visited many countries, including the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). As a Christian faithful, his religious devotion made him embark on the Christian pilgrimage to Israel thereby making him a Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP).
While he loves reading and plays table tennis as hobbies, he still has five more years to serve as the head of the judiciary of Kogi State. Notably, the improvements witnessed so far under him have enhanced the integrity, efficiency, effectiveness, and accessibility to courts scattered across all regions of Kogi State.