Anambra State Govt To Unveil Law On Judicial Autonomy As 2021/2022 Legal Year Kicks Off

Governor Willie Obiano has said that Anambra State law on judicial autonomy will soon be unveiled, having been passed by the legislature, to address all agitations in that regard.

Governor Obiano, who disclosed this at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Awka, during a pontifical holy mass to mark the 2021/2022 legal year for Anambra State judiciary, said judiciary in the State has remained partner for the progress of the State.

Correspondent Joseph Egbeocha reports that represented by the State Head of Service, Barrister Harry Uduh, Governor Obiano called for extension of such cordial relationship to the incoming administration, noting that for the sustainable development of the State, all arms of the government must be united.

Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, who acknowledged the cordial working relationship with the Executive, courtesy of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Uju Nwogu, however noted that all the needs of the judiciary cannot be said to have been met.

He commended Governor Obiano for not at any time interfering with the workings of the State judiciary, adding that effective justice delivery system can only be achieved where judicial independence is guaranteed.

Earlier in a homily, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, who reminded all that serving God is evident in serving humanity, said all are doomed if the judiciary is compromised as the case seems to be in present-day Nigeria.

Bishop Ezeokafor, who was represented by the Diocesan Vicar General, Very Reverend Father Peter Akaenyi, urged Christians not to lose hope in the face of various challenges, including pervasive injustice which he said has remained the bane of present-day Nigerian judiciary, and called for sustenance of the event as he likened it to biblical injunction in Philippians 4:8

The event, with the theme, “Judicial Independence; “Pathway to Effective Justice Delivery” featured inspection of Guards of Honor mounted by a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force, as well as Special Court session, both at the Judiciary Headquarters Awka.