Go to court to resolve your disputes, don’t resort to jungle justice, Otti tells Abians
* As he lays foundation for model court buildings
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has advised Abians to always adopt civilized approaches to resolve their disputes by taking such matters to the courts rather than resorting to self-help or jungle justice.
Governor Otti gave the advice on Thursday while performing the foundation laying ceremony for the construction of a model court building at Umuene in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
The model court buildings which would be replicated in all the 17 local government areas across the state would come with renewable energy and water supply mechanisms, IT-support systems and all resources needed to support the work of the judicial officers.
“One clear message we are sending to the general public through the development of these model court halls is that in the New Abia, law and order must take precedence over emotions and resort to jungle justice,” said in his speech titled “Justice As The Foundation Of Enduring Development.”
“Individuals, groups and communities are encouraged to always test their positions before our courts and let the law guide our actions and decisions, especially in moments of disputes and uncertainty.
“We must become a society that is deeply committed to civilised approaches to dispute resolution especially now that the courts will not just be visible in our various communities but will also be functioning in sincere service to the course of justice, equity and fairness to all,” the Governor said.
He said was not just committed to building a developed society but one where there would be access to justice for persons of all economic and social backgrounds.
“We are not just interested in having signposts pointing individuals to a courtroom; we are determined to work jointly with the State judiciary and other relevant stakeholders to build an effective ecosystem that delivers justice in good time to the poor and wealthy without bias,” he added.
According to him, the project for the constructing model court buildings was in line with his administration’s vision of working closely with the judicial arm of Government to create robust channels for the speedy dispensation of justice.
“This initiative is anchored on the common understanding that access to justice is an irreducible minimum in a democracy. In the New Abia, there is a consensus that the rights of a poor widow are as important as the legal safeguards of a wealthy industrialist who wants to enforce the terms of his contract,” the Governor explained, adding that the project was in fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to make “centres of justice administration in the State” to have a more functional appeal since the judiciary serves as a major anchor of modern civilisation.
Governor Otti told the crowd that the Executive enjoys cordial working relationship with the Judiciary and commended the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Lilian Abai, and the Commission for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwannah, for being effective in their roles whiave not only enhanced the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Judiciary but has led to the facelift the judiciary was receiving in the state.
He urged the contractors handing the building projects to abide by the specifications or risk sanctions for any form of default as government would accept any shoddy job; and the community to guard against vandalism of the project.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, said that the flagging off of the construction of model court buildings by the Governor was unprecedented in the annals of the state judiciary, noting that it would enhance productivity among judicial officers.
Justice Abai commended Governor Otti for his commitment towards justice delivery in the state and assured that the Judiciary would uphold the rule of law.
Also, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary and Public Complaints of Abia State House of Assembly and Member representing Umuahia North, Barr. Anderson Akaliro, praised the Governor for his efforts and said that it would it improve in service delivery in the judiciary.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, recalled, at the ceremony, decried the status of the court halls in the state occasioned by decades of neglect, and noted that the project was a testament of the Governor’s commitment to efficient justice delivery.
The Commissioner added that when completed, the court buildings would have a lobby room for lawyers and a room for inmates from the correctional facilities with provision for Judges or Magistrates as well as legal assistants, natural light, ventilation, solar energy among others.
In his address, the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa South, Dr. Elelenta Nwambusi Elele, noted that the court was nothing to write home about before the intervention of the Governor, stressing that it was important to provide conducive environment for magistrates and judges.
In their separate speeches, the Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, Isialangwa Branch, Barr. Eze Nwaegoro, and his Aba Branch counterpart, Charles Onuchukwu, described the event as an epoch.
They said that the feat was a step in the right direction which would make members of the NBA proud in the state and commended the Governor for the project.
