Meet Justice Umaru Abdullahi, Katsina’s 1st Chief Judge, Former President, Court of Appeal
Hon. Justice Umar Faruk Abdullahi, CON, Walin Hausa, Shettima Ilimuye of Borno, was born in Katsina Town on 29th November, 1939.
He had his early education at Katsina up to Secondary School level and atteneded Bayero College in Kano for Higher School Leaving Sertificate (HSC), then went to Institute of Administration, Zaria, where he studied and passed BAR PART ONE Examination.
He went to United Kingdom and as a member of the Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, studied BAR PART TWO at both the School of Oriental and African Studies at University of London as well as Council of Legal Education, England and GIBSON COLLEGE of Law London. He passed BAR PART I and was called to the English Bar in November, 1966.
He returned to Nigeria and worked briefly at the Attorney General’s Chambers in Kaduna before proceeding to Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1967. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in June, 1968.
He started his career as Pupil State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Kaduna in July, 1968. After some years, he was appointed a Magistrate in the Kaduna State Judiciary. He rose to the rank of Senior Magistrate. He was transferred back to the Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State as Principal State Counsel. After some years, he was transferred back to the Judiciary of Kaduna State as Chief Registrar. Then in 1978, he was appointed a High Court Judge of Kaduna State. He was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal in 1982 and served in various Division of the Court of Appeal. In 1978, he was seconded to the newly created Katsina State as the Chief Judge of the State.
He returned to the Court of Appeal in 1991 and served again in various Divisions. In February 1999, he was appointed the President of the Court of Appeal. A position he held for 10yrs. He retired in 2009 at the attainment of 70 .
When serving in the Court of Appeal, he also served as Justice of the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Gambia in 1992-1993.
