Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu and members of the state judiciary have commenced the 2022/2023 Legal Year with Eucharistic thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, members of the State Executive Council, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Right Honourable Uche Okafor, judiciary officers from neighboring states were present at the church service officiated by the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim.

The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Awka, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander C. Ibezim, has tasked Nigerian judicial workers to rise to the occasion of upholding the integrity of the Judiciary through quicker dispensation of justice without fear or favour.

Ibezim made the call on Friday during a Eucharistic and Thanksgiving Church service commemorating the 2022/23 Legal Year of Anambra State Judiciary at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka.

Delivering a sermon on the theme: Dispensation of Justice in Perilous Times: Challenges and Solutions, Bishop Ibezim, stated that judicial officers require courage to deliver justice to all manners and classes of men and women in our society, without minding whose ox is gored.

According to the cleric, if the Judiciary fails as an arm of government to dispense Justice equitably, especially now that Nigeria is in perilous times, Nigeria will collapse.

He stressed that time had come for judicial officers and staff to show integrity and eschew corruption, in all forms, in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

Meanwhile, delivering a speech during the Special Court Session to mark the 2022/23 Legal Year ceremony, at the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka, the Hon. Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Onochie M. Anyachebelu, congratulated the newly elected executive members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Anambra State Branch, led by Comrade Henry Ezeoke; stating that his administration would work together with the new executives, to facilitate a good, sustained and harmonious relationship, concerning the welfare of staff.

He noted that, no doubt, the Justice system is affected by the systemic economic peril and challenges facing Nigeria; however, judicial officers and staff must not condone corruption in the system, because, according to the Hon. Chief Judge, corruption is antithetical to justice.

Explaining the negative effect of corruption in the Justice system, His Lordship quoted the words of Justice Uwais, Chief Justice of Nigeria (Rtd.), thus: “A corrupt Judge is more harmful to the society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in a crowded street. The latter can be restrained physically, but a corrupt Judge deliberately destroys the moral foundation of society and causes incurable distress to individuals, through abusing his office while still being referred to as honourable.”

Inspection of guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Nigeria police and special court session at the judiciary headquarters, Awka, were part of activities lined up for the annual event.