A passion for the practice of law – Shafa’u Ladan Yusuf

 Educational background 

I started my education with Qur’anic school when I was very little, then Shekal Primary School in 1978; in 1983 I went to Federal Government Girls’ College Bauchi. In 1991 I was admitted to read Civil Law at University of Jos but I was unable to make it that year until the 1993/94 session, already married with a handful 7 months old son (Zahraddeen). I graduated with an LL.B in 2000 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus in 2001. In 2002, I graduated from law school with a BL. In 2003 I was employed by the Bauchi State Government as a state counsel with the Ministry of Justice and in 2008 I was elevated to the lower bench as a Senior Magistrate. In 2009, I went to the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies(NIALS), University of Lagos Campus at Akoka for a Master’s Degree(LL.M) on Legislative Drafting.

Career

As a Chief Magistrate and a Principal District Court Judge, I preside over both criminal and civil cases under the inherent powers of the court and upon such jurisdiction given to my court by the Laws of Bauchi State.

What growing up was like 

As a typical Hausa-Fulani girl growing up in the North, in an extended family setting with lots of uncles, aunts and cousins far and near in relation, life was fun, with lots of laughter, noise and small quarrels.

Challenges faced in life

The challenges I faced were managing a home with kids and school whilst my husband was always away on military postings within or outside the country. I started school with one son and had two other sons while I was there. From the two I had while in school, I lost one in my fourth year and had the other some weeks before my final exams. The Dean of Law then, Dr. Jamila M. Nasir(God bless her soul) used to help me strap him to her back him while I wrote my exams. I also went to the Law School with a baby that was barely six months old and on exclusive breast feeding. I used to leave him with a nanny outside the lecture theatre so that I could hear him anytime he cried and I would sneak out and feed him.

Life’s lessons

Life has taught me to try and always tell the truth in every situation I find myself, hence if I can tell the truth why then should I tell a lie and thus I am a very straight forward and blunt person. I always try to say it like it is.

My aspirations as a child

Growing up, I had always aspired to be a lawyer, go to court and make submissions like I used to watch them do on a TV programme back then called ‘Crown Court’. ‘Crown Court’ was a British programme. I loved their  dress code, the confidence a lot of them exuded, their manner of speech was awesome to me even though I could barely grasp the meaning or true essence of what they were saying most of the time but I knew that they were mighty important.

Fond childhood memories I miss

I miss the stories my maternal grandmother used to tell me whenever I visited her at her house. Her husband was into tobacco(Angale) business and she used to help him mold it under the moonlight, while she did that she used to entertain us with stories(Tatsuniya). I really miss that.

My joys of motherhood

Just waking up one day and seeing your kids grown into such fine gentlemen and ladies with lofty dreams. That is mighty joyous.