Chief Judge of Borno, Nigeria, receives NCSC Distinguished Service Award

Williamsburg, VA (March 24, 2014) – Kashim Zannah, Chief Judge of the State of Borno, Nigeria, is the recipient of the National Center for State Courts’ International Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest awards presented by NCSC. The International Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to those who have made significant contributions to the justice system and who have supported the mission of NCSC. Chief Judge Zannah received the award during NCSC’s Recognition Luncheon on November 21, 2013, in Washington, D.C.

Chief Judge Zannah is the Chair of the Nigeria Judicial Council Committee on Technology. As chairman, he implemented a new national case management system and improved courtroom technology, which reinforced sustainability and provided the case management source code to other countries.

"Chief Justice Zannah paved the way for change in Nigerian courts," NCSC President Mary McQueen said. "He transitioned Nigeria from a limited age to a global age."

Jeff Apperson, Vice President of NCSC International Affairs, calls Chief Judge Zannah, “the leader of technology reform in Nigeria. Thanks to Chief Justice Zannah, Nigeria was able to establish a system that operates more effectively and place Nigeria pre-eminently with a legacy system."
Chief Judge Zannah has served on the High Court of Justice for 30 years.

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. Founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, NCSC provides education, training, technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts.