The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has warned the state judges and members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) against granting bail to arrested bandits, rapists and other criminals in the state.

Masari, who gave the warning while swearing in three newly appointed High Courts judges at the Government House, said bandits and other arrested hoodlums should be punished for their crimes to serve as a deterrent to others.

The newly swore in judges are Justice Kabir Shaibu, the state High Court Chief Registrar; Justice Ibrahim Isaiaku and Justice Abubakar Maude.

He stated that NBA members, in synergy with some judges in the state, were securing the release of arrested bandits, armed robbers and rapists through the instrument of fundamental human rights enforcement instead of prosecuting them.

He said: “The Nigeria Bar Association must call its members who are in the habit of securing the release of bandits, rapists and armed robbers through the instrument of fundamental rights enforcement to order and avoid compromise undercover.

“We have had incidences where suspected bandits, terrorists, armed robbers and rapists were released on bail only for them to commit the same offence. Such ugly incidences could have been averted if bail was not granted at all.”

According to the former speaker of the House of Representatives, “We are in an unusual time of serious security challenges. Therefore, we must put our heads together to address the unusual challenges.”

While urging the new judges to imbibe the culture of integrity, transparency and good conduct while discharging their obligations, the governor charged them to consider their appointment as a call to duty that required professionalism.

He reiterated that the state government under his watch would continue to give the judiciary the necessary support in order to ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the state.