ASABA/Nigeria: The State Government has reiterated its commitment and determination to synergies with the Judiciary to bring justice nearer to the people of the State.
The State Governor, Senator Dr Author Okowa gave the assurance over the weekend at the official opening ceremony of the High Court of Justice, Ekpan Judicial Division by the state Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro.
Governor Okowa who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sir Bright Edejewhro commended Justice Umukoro for his resolve to expand the frontiers of justice delivery since his assumption of office, emphasising that the Judiciary as the third arm of government has a critical role to play in bringing about peace which is a panacea to seamless socioeconomic development.
He stated that the domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 was a proof that the government was unequivocally committed to ensuring meaningful peace building and political and social harmony in line with the cardinal objective of the SMART Agenda.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro in his inaugural speech reaffirmed that the creation of the Ekpan Judicial Division arose from the to dire need to bring justice nearer to the people, maintaining that it was a deliberate design by the state government under the leadership of Governor Okowa to salute the communal effort of the Uvwie people, particularly the Ekpan segment in providing the infrastructure that warehouse the High Court and Magistrate Court.
Justice Umukoro, who revealed that five new judges would soon be appointed, warned pioneer staff of the court of the great responsibilities cast on them, even as he charged Legal Practitioners to refrain from conduct or manner that would obstruct, delay or adversely affect administration of justice.
While calling on Uvwie youths to protect the infrastructure and facilities in the court, the Chief Judge reassured stakeholders in the administration of justice that members of the Bench would rededicate themselves to abide by the Judicial oath without fear or favour, cautioning that Judicial officers who contravene the spirit and letters of the oath should be ready to face the National Judicial Council and Judicial Service Commission.
Justice Umukoro who disclosed that the five prisons in the state have been stretched beyond their numerical capacity, advocated for review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended to remove prisons from the exclusive list.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Peter Mrakpor represented by the Solicitor General Ben Idigwe applauded the state Chief Judge’s determined efforts to draw Justice delivery proximate to stakeholders, promising that the Governor Okowa’s administration will continue to support the Judiciary to bring justice proximate to the people of the state.
In goodwill messages, Senior Advocates of Nigeria led by chief Efe Akpofure and the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Barrister Daniel Ejakpovwere Agbaga stated that the creation of the Ekpan Judicial Division shall impact positively on the practice of Lawyers, and facilitates the chances of serious minded ones aspiring to be Senior Advocates.
The ceremony was climaxed by cutting of tape by the Chief Judge to declare the court open.
