HRH. (Justice) Sidi Dauda Bage: The 17th Emir of Lafia

HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage FCIArb, is a renowned jurist, legal personality, respected royal father and distinguished Abusite who was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the current Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs.

Born on the 22nd of June 1956, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness, Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage attended the Dunoma Primary School Lafia from 1963 – 1969, proceeded to attended the Government Secondary School Lafia from 1970 – 1974.

He gained admission into the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, for a Diploma Programme in Law between 1975 – 1977, obtained the same at Credit Level. And subsequently Gained a direct entry admission for the L.L.B. Hon. Program from 1977 – 1980, graduating with a Second Class Lower Division.

ALSO READ: Sanusi Lamido Sanusi: Profile of An Illustrious Abusite

HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage proceeded to the Nigerian Law School Lagos in 1980 and was called into the Nigerian Bar in 1981. He proceeded to Observed the compulsory National Service (NYSC) as a Legal Officer, Ground Training Group, Nigeria Air Force Base Kaduna from 1981 – 1982.

HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage’s Working Career

HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage started his working career as a Legal Officer, Ground Training Group, Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna during his NYSC program from 1981 – 1982. After completing his national service, he was Appointed Magistrate Grade II Plateau State Judiciary the same year 1982.

He was Promoted to Magistrate Grade I in 1984, became a Senior Magistrate Grade II in 1986, Appointed Chief Magistrate II F.C.T Judiciary 1989 and became a Chief Magistrate I. In 1990.

HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage was Promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Registrar FCT Judiciary in 1991, and became a Substantive Chief Registrar, FCT High Court January, 1992. He was subsequently Elevated to the High Court Bench as a Judge on 9th Nov. 1992, Justice Court of Appeal 10th Dec. 2007, and ultimately as Justice of the Supreme Court 5th Dec. 2016.

Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, The 17Th Emir Of Lafia 

On March 26, 2019, the Respected Justice of the Supreme Court was selected by the kingmakers as the 17th Emir of Lafia to mount the throne of his forefathers following the demise of Mustapha Agwai I who mounted the throne as the 16th Emir of lafiya on the 28th May 1974 and died on January 10, 2019.

At the official turbaning ceremony, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura said the State Government was happy with the selection exercise and called on the people of Lafia emirate and the entire State to support the Supreme Court Justice turned traditional ruler.

In his opening speech after receiving the staff of office, the new Emir declared “We are one, we must unite to develop the emirate and I pledge to be just in my dealings with all.” and promised “to be fair to all” irrespective of tribe, religion or political afflation.

The emirate w previously ruled by Musa Danjaji (1809-1814), Umar (1814-1819), Abdullahi Dalla (1849-1866), Umar (1868-1873) Abdullahi Dalla Bahago (1873-1881), Mohammed Agwai I (1881-1903), Musa Abdullahi Dalla as the 11th Emir of Lafia, Abdullahi (1918-1926) Alhaji Yusuf Musa II, Alhaji Dr. Isa Mustafa Agwai the 16th Emir of Lafia, whose ascension to the throne was on 28th May 1974. 

ADHOC ASSIGNMENT

HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Dauda Bage had previously served in several Adhoc committees while in the judiciary. They include Chairman Robbery and Fire Arms Tribunal for the Federal Capital Territory from 1996 – 1999, member of the Election Petition Tribunal in 1999 and served in various states of the Federation, Chairman Election Petition Tribunal, Kano State in March 2003.

He also served as Chairman, Committee on the Establishment of the ADR Centre for the FCT High Court by the Honourable Chief Judge FCT Abuja, Chairman Abia State Election Petition Retrial Panel from July – August 2005, Chairman Election Petition Tribunal for Bye-Election in Gombe State in 2006. On the 16th of May 2007, he was appointed as Chairman Election Petition Tribunal Panel for Oyo State.

SOME COURSES ATTENDED

• Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Lagos 1989.
• All the Courses Organized by the Centre for State Courts, USA, in Nigeria.
• Judicial Administration University of Jos Nigeria.
• The Chartered Institute of Mediators London U.K.
• Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators Lagos.
• Attended Several other Courses and Seminars both Locally and Internationally.

HOBBIES include Reading in general, horse riding, play golf and squash rocket.