Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has called for firmness in the handling of cases involving rape and kidnapping in the state.

Lalong gave the charge on Friday while swearing-in the new President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Sati Dapit, and five other judges of the High Court at the Government House, Jos.

He said: “When I met with stakeholders recently, concerns were raised about the prosecution of suspects who are arrested for kidnapping. Some of them, we understand, do not get to be arraigned as when due and even get released without charge despite evidence tendered to law enforcement agents.

“While we are addressing the issue with the police relating to arrest, investigation and prosecution, I want to appeal to our judges to be very firm in trying such cases when brought before them, as kidnapping is fast becoming an industry with no one immune from the menace,” the Governor said.

He advised the newly sworn-in judicial officers not to be compromised or tempted by mouth-watering proposals.

“I charge the new judges to ensure that they live up to their oath of office in dispensing justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

“That is the only way we can sustain the fabric of our society which we have chosen to predicate on the rule of law and which guarantees the equal treatment of citizens,” he said.

The new High Court Judges are Justices Naankwat Shaseet and Buetnaan Bassi, Justices Pauline Njar, Edwin Sati Munlang and Georgina Dashe were sworn-in as Customary Court of Appeal Judges.