
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State
Nigeria’s judiciary challenged, says Umahi, as Ebonyi commences new legal year

[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
Governor David Umahi said the Nigerian Judiciary is badly challenged and must redeem itself for peace and unity of Nigeria.


Umahi who made the call during a special court session organized Ebonyi State Judiciary to mark the 2021/2022 legal year on Tuesday, said the Judiciary in Nigeria was badly challenged.
The Governor noted that the system had become so bad that court of concurrent jurisdiction now issue conflicting court orders on the same matter.
He, however, commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, for rising against the ugly trend.
“The Judiciary generally in Nigeria is highly challenged and the Judiciary must redeem itself for the Peace and unity of Nigeria. We must at every time put the unity and stability of Nigeria first,” Umahi said.
Governor Umahi said the Judiciary in the State was already enjoying Autonomy under his administration and called for transparency among the Judicial Officers.
He pledged to look into the general welfare of the Judicial Officers including operational vehicles for the Magistrates and other cadres of the Bar and Bench within the new legal year.
The Governor while commending the CJ for his prudence, promised to work more closely with the Judiciary to provide a platform for the reinforcement of the Judiciary.
State Chief Judge, Justice Elvis Ngene thanked the Governor and Government of Ebonyi State for a good working relationship with the Judiciary and pledged to improve their performance in the new legal year.
“In the coming weeks and months, we hope to explore how to leverage the realities on the ground to enhance more progress and productivity in terms of fixing not only infrastructure but a holistic investment that will impact all factors critical to the effective, efficient, and sustainable justice delivery. With the help of God, we shall look at everything worthy of and demanding our attention, and tackle all challenges with courage in the new legal year.
“The Judiciary in Ebonyi State has always and shall continue to relate positively and favourably with the other arms of government to the extent that it does not erode the cherished independence of the Judiciary.
“We must remain conscious of the borderlines that separate us in the spirit of separation of powers and checks and balances. In the same vein, we must remain committed to the understanding that the government is made up of the three arms which must function and collaborate in harmonious coexistence as one government of Ebonyi State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Justice Ngene said.