Justice Ozoemena taking his oath as Enugu State's new acting Chief Judge
Gov. Ugwuanyi swears-in Justice Ozoemena as Enugu CJ
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has performed the swearing-in ceremony on the newly-appointed Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena, after serving in acting capacity.
Hon. Justice Ozoemena’s appointment on acting capacity by Gov. Ugwuanyi was sequel to the retirement of the former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu, who attained the constitutionally prescribed retirement age of 65 years on September 7, 2021.
The governor explained that the decision to swear-in Hon. Justice Ozoemena as Acting Chief Judge of Enugu State on September 7, 2021 and the renewal of the appointment on December 8, 2021 upon the expiration of the first three months, was based on the order of seniority of the Judges of Enugu High Court as confirmed by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
While swearing-in Hon. Justice Ozoemena at the EXCO Chamber of the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that it was sequel to the recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subsequent confirmation of his appointment by the Enugu State House of Assembly, in fulfillment of the provisions of Section 271 Sub-section 1 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Ugwuanyi said he swore-in Hon. Justice Ozoemena as the Chief Judge of Enugu State after all the conditions presented for the appointment was dutifully fulfilled.
“You will bring your juristic erudition, diverse experience and integrity to bear on the administration of the Enugu State Judiciary”.
“I wish you well and pray God to grant you stellar career as the Chief Judge of Enugu State”, Gov. Ugwuanyi added.
The new Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Ozoemena, in his remarks, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his endurance and consistency in ensuring that he was sworn-in as Acting Chief Judge for two consecutive times and thereafter as the substantive Chief Judge of the State.
He promised the governor of the cooperation and support of the State Judiciary under his watch, for peace and harmonious relationship that exist between the Executive and the Judiciary in the state.
