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.
The Honourable The Chief Judge of Anambra State Hon. Justice Onochie M. Anyachebelu and The Anambra State Judiciary cordially invites you to the ceremonies marking the 2022/2023 legal year.
Theme: Dispensation of Justice In Perilous Times: Challenges and Solutions.
Time:
10:00AM – Service at Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka
12:00 Noon – Inspection of Guard of Honour by a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force at the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka.
1:30PM – Special Court Session at the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka.
The Anambra State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, yesterday, at the Onitsha Correctional Facility, released ten inmates who were in waiting trial at the centre.
Those granted pardon were nine males and one female inmates among them was one Ifeanyi Egwuatu, a mentally sick inmate, who was brought to the correctional facility over alleged murder; and had been there for nine years without being taken to court.
The Judge subsequently struck out his case, released him, and directed the Controller of Correctional centre to hand him over to his people.
Another was an aged inmate, Johnson Ojukwu Okolo, from Anaku in Ayamelum LGA of the state, who was detained in the facility for eight years over alleged manslaughter. From court records, he was granted bail in 2020, but was not released; and had not been going to court.
Also Okechukwu Okeke from Awkuzu in Oyi LGA of the state, who was awaiting trial since 2014 over alleged attempted murder, his case suffered many adjournments because he reportedly had no lawyer. It was found that the last time he appeared in court was in 2018, when a witness appeared against him, after which he was left to his own fate.
Also discharged was one Uwadiegwu Edeh from Enugu State, who was awaiting trial since 2016, over alleged dangerous driving. Since then, the prosecutor abandoned the case. The Chief Judge subsequently released him, and charged him to be of good behaviour.
Francis Oluchukwu from Imo State, who was reportedly granted bail by a court in 2020, but was neither released nor taken to court for further prosecution, was also released by the Chief Judge for what he described as lack of diligent prosecution.
Also discharged were Ebuka Molokwu, a mentally sick inmate; Arinze Nwoke from Ebonyi State, who was charged with stealing, but was left in the correctional facility without diligent trial; as well as one Mmesoma Okafor, a house wife, who was held since February 14, 2022, for allegedly masterminding the death of her maid.
Speaking after the event, the Chief Judge said that the exercise is part of his constitutional duties, which he said, is in line with the Prison Act, and the Criminal Justice Act; adding that the process is a fast way of decongesting correctional facilities.
He urged all that benefited from the pardon not to go back to their evil ways.
According to him, those released were inmates whose detention were manifestly unlawful; those detained for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment which the person detained could have served had he been convicted of the offense of which he was detained; as we as old and very sick inmates.
The Deputy Controller of Corrections in the Onitsha Correctional Center, Mr. Nwosu Val, commended the Chief Judge, and said that the CJ’s gesture would help decongest the facility, and bring sanity.
He urged the police and the judiciary to devise mechanism aimed at quickening dispensation of justice, especially as it concerns awaiting trial inmates, so that the faculty will not be unnecessarily congested.
The new building of Customary Court Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area has been inaugurated by the State Chief Judge Justice Onochie Anyachebelu.
The ceremony attracted stakeholders from the community and Staff of the State judiciary.
Reports are that while inaugurating the new court building, Justice Anyachebelu commended the community for embarking on and completing the initiative, assuring that the judiciary would ensure effective utilization of the structure to enhance the dispensation of justice.
He explained that Customary courts are invested with jurisdiction of hearing and determining both criminal and civil cases under native laws and customs.
The Chief Judge however explained that the justice sector does not accommodate customs that undermine justice, equity and a good conscience and expressed the belief that communities will abolish such customs.
In an address on behalf of the community, the Town Union Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr Linus Okafor -Ogunwa thanked the traditional ruler of the community Igwe Mbamala Okeke for facilitating the project and others who contributed in one way or another to actualizing it.
The community requested among other things, the establishment of a High Court in the Njikoka Local Government Area and stated its readiness to provide a befitting complex for the court which they noted will help accelerate the dispensation of justice.
In his remarks, one of the prominent sons of the community Chief Napoleon Onyechi expressed the hope that the court will help bring dispensation of justice closer to the people.
Also speaking, a community leader, Chief Henry Igboeli while expressing satisfaction with the actualization of the court project, noted that it will help promote rule of law, justice and protection of fundamental human rights.
The Chief Judge delegation earlier paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler, Igwe Okeke.
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In a bid to improve the service delivery at the Anambra State Judiciary and ensure lasting transparency in the system, the Anambra State Judiciary has released a circular of which is expected to guide court users to make suggestions and complaints about ineffective service within the courthouse.
The circular which was issued by the Chief Registrar of Anambra State, Chinyere Ossy-Okoye Esq (Mrs.), is titled ‘Anambra State Judiciary Court Users Guide’.
A complainant is to provide his/her contact details; names, Phone number, Address and E-mail Address.
Address for Complaints:
Email address: Complaints@anambrajudiciary.an.gov.ng
Telephone Hotlines: 07044988573 (SMS and WhatsApp).
The Honourable Chief Judge
High Court of Justice
Judiciary Headquarters,
Awka.
