In recognition of the importance of the judiciary in his war against crime, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has given approval for the appointment of eight new High Court judges to enhance quick dispensation of justice.
The governor has also approved the construction of three new High Courts in Ihiala, Ekwulobia and Otucha with two court halls each and residential apartments for the judges. He has also approved the construction of 14 Magistrates’ Courts comprising 28 Magistrates’ Court halls.
Announcing the approvals in his address at the special court session for the 2014/2015 Legal Year ceremonies, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Peter Umeadi described the infrastructure development as unprecedented anywhere in the country. He commended Governor Obiano, whom he said continued with the high regard his predecessor, Chief Peter Obi had for the judiciary and had even taken it to a greater height. The chief judge assured the governor that with the facilities being provided, the state judiciary would work to justify the gestures. Justice Umeadi, however, made a case for financial autonomy of the state judiciary, saying: “We hear that since the last strike that Delta State Government has passed the relevant financial autonomy law for their judiciary.
I hereby prevail on the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra, Anali Chude to put an executive bill before the House of Assembly of Anambra State for financial autonomy law to be passed and presented to His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, the Governor of Anambra State for signature. I congratulate JUSUN on this historic feat.”
Earlier at a church service marking the commencement of the legal year held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka, Governor Obiano, who was present with some top government functionaries, stated that “2014 is a special year for the state Judiciary,” saying his administration was committed to ensuring that everything the judiciary needed to dispense justice was provided.
He disclosed that besides the court projects, government was building a Divisional Police Officer’s quarters in each of the 21local governments of the state, adding that from this month the judiciary would start to enjoy its new housing allowance.
Obiano, however, charged the judges to be fair, go about their duties with the fear of God and devote more time to dispensation of criminal matters.
In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor tasked judges and others involved in the dispensation of justice to always imbibe the principles of equity, fairness and good conscience in the discharge of their duty.
He staid, “Although the criminal has so to say lost his integrity through his or her behaviour, we are still challenged to treat them with utmost respect because of their God given dignity. It is absolutely important to expedite the trial of offenders. The situation of keeping people awaiting trial for years is unacceptable.
“The second proposal I want to make is about public enlightenment. A visit to our prisons shows that some of the convicts are there because they were deceived either by the investigating police officer or someone else to plead guilty to the offence they were charged with in the belief that this would gain them their freedom. .  I think that there is need for public enlightenment campaign to make sure that no innocent victim of circumstance is put behind bars through deceit.
“Thirdly, I get some reports that minors are sometimes being held in the same facilities with convicted adult offenders. If this is true, we can expect that these minors would come of these places hardened all the more. For the good of our society, suitable facilities for the reform of juvenile offenders should be made available. This is a campaign that all of us should prosecute. But as members of the bar and the bench, your leadership in this matter is needed since you operate an essential component of the justice system.
“My last suggestion, “Is with regrad to crime prevention by addressing some root causes of crime and delinquency which include: lack of parental care, unemployment , the get-rich-quick syndrome and the enthronement of money as the dominant value our society…”

Obiano approves appointments of 8 new high court judges