Delta State governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured the state judiciary of more collaboration from the state government.
Gov. Okowa gave the assurance during the special court session held to mark the commencement of the 2022/2023 Legal Year of the state judiciary, in Asaba.
The governor who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, said the judiciary would receive the support of the state government, which would in turn enhance the dispensation of justice in the state.
He added that it would be extended to strengthen the judiciary in the state in the discharge of their statutory responsibility.
He however commended the judiciary for striving to uphold their independence despite the challenges facing them.
He pointed out that the state government have done a lot to support the judiciary.
The governor expressed gratitude to the State Chief Judge and the judiciary for maintaining a robust relationship with the Executive and Legislative arms of government.
In her address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Tessy Diai, said that the legal year celebration is rooted in the English Common Law tradition, of which Nigeria legal system is an off- shoot, adding that the church service which was held as part of the activities was in recognition of God’s preeminence as the ultimate judge who dispenses justice with fairness and without fear or favour.
Justice Diai disclosed that beyond the ceremonial formalities associated with the new legal year celebration, the occasion offers the judiciary opportunity for self appraisal, stock taking, dissemination of information to help the legal community and the general public with regards to its activities in the preceding year.
She highlighted some of the achievements of the state judiciary in the areas of infrastructural development, capacity building and staff welfare and promised that more improvement will be noticed in the year subject to availability of funds.
The Delta state chief judge explained that some of the challenges facing the judiciary includes shortage of judges, lack of comfortable court halls, modern office furniture and equipment and dilapidated physical structures. She declared that shortage of judges affects the performance of serving judges but stated that the ongoing efforts to appoint five judges for the High court and two Customary court of Appeal have received approval from the governor.
She appealed to the Executive and Legislative arms responsible for the preparation and appropriation of funds to increase the budget provision of the judiciary to enable it carry out its constitutional duties. Stressing funding the judiciary has remained the single biggest challenge which has stiffled it’s development in many fronts.
Also speaking at the special court session, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Isaiah Bozimo, revealed that the Ministry have made efforts to strengthen its officers by focusing on continuous training and development. He said that another area is the cross- training of legal officers to be familiar with all the practice areas.
Barr. Bozimo noted that in their capacity as public prosecutor, the ministry will continue with its long standing tradition of engaging closely with stakeholders particularly the private Bar and the Bench.
He emphasized that the ministry has a strong relationship with the Bar, which is aimed at improving the criminal justice system through the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee .
Earlier at the special thanksgiving mass held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic church Asaba, the Bishop of Issele- Uku Diocese, His Lordship, Most. Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue in his homily, told the congregation that the pursuit of peace is more than a wish but an obligation.
Bishop Elue maintained that the role of the judiciary in a democracy is to hold the hold the Executive and Legislative arms of government accountable and to protect the interest of the minority.
The Cleric appealed to jurists, intellectuals and people of good will to respect the rights to life, marriage and family life and to protect the vulnerable.
He prayed for the spirit of wisdom and honest judgement for the judiciary in the execution of their tasks .
Highlight of the event was the inspection of guard of honor of officers and men of the state Police Command, by state Chief Judge as part of the activities to mark the beginning of the 2022/2023 legal year in the state.
