Justice Sidi Bage of the Supreme Court has emerged the 17th Emir of Lafia Emirate following the demise of Alhaji Mustapha Agwai I on January 10. Haruna Osegba, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, made the announcement on Tuesday in Lafia after the state traditional council meeting.
Osegba said the new emir was selected by the emirate’s college of selector ratified by the state traditional council and approved by Gov. Umaru Al-Makura.
He said the selection of the new emir was in line with legal notice 12 of 1986, section 31 stipulating the rotation of the stool between the two royal houses.
Osegba explained that Bage and Musa Mustapha-Agwai, son of the late emir contested for the position. Bage was however selected by four out of the five members of the college of selectors.
Justice Bage was born on June 22, 1956, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and attended Dunoma Primary School Lafia. Bage proceeded to the Government Secondary School Lafia between 1970 and 1974.
He was admitted to the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, for a Diploma Programme in Law between 1975 and 1977, later got his L.L.B. Hon degree in 1980. Young Justice Bage then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School Lagos in 1980 and was called into the Nigerian Bar in 1981.
Bage worked as a Legal Officer, Ground Training Group, Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna (NYSC) 1981 to 1982, and Appointed Magistrate Grade II Plateau State Judiciary 1982.
He was Promoted Magistrate Grade I 1984, Promoted Senior Magistrate Grade II 1986, Appointed Chief Magistrate II F.C.T Judiciary 1989, Promoted Chief Magistrate I. 1990 and was promoted as Deputy Chief Registrar FCT Judiciary 1991.
He was again, Promoted Substantive Chief Registrar, FCT High Court January 1992, elevated to the High Court Bench as a Judge Nov. 9, 1992, elevated Justice Court of Appeal Dec. 10, 2007, and Appointed Justice of the Supreme Court on Dec. 5, 2016.
