The Chief Judge of Anambra State Hon. Justice Onochie M. Anyachebelu has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to give the welfare of the Judiciary arm, a priority in the new legal year.
ANN reports that Anyachebelu while speaking at the judiciary 2023/2024 legal year ceremonies with the theme “Delivery of Justice: Public Perception and Reality”, held at the Anambra state judiciary headquarters Awka on Friday, called on Judges to enhence the delivery of justice in the state.
” We have not been able to take up the fresh quota for appointment of additional judges allocated to us by the National Judicial Council due to unavailability of adequate accomodation and facilities.
” I am hopeful that we shall soon overcome the immediate challenges and initiate the process for appointment of additional Hon. Judges to enhence the delivery of justice in the state.
” The welfare, moral and motivation of judicial officers who are saddled with the onerous, sensitive and important role of adjudication of disputes and maintaining the security of the state through enthronement of the rule of law cannot be neglected if truely we want a better society.
“The duty placed on judicial officers is very heavy and the expectation of the society on the conduct, in and out of the courts, of Judges and magistrates/Presidents of Customary Court is very high. They are expected in line with their oaths of office to dispense justice without fear or favour and shun corruption in all its ramifications.
“In a place like Anambra State, nationally known for her high volume of court cases, the judicial officers are expected to work extra hard to tackle the huge number of cases pending before them. In this regard, a poor remuneration, as is obtainable now, is a disincentive to good and honest work and an invitation that wets the appetite of the not so highly principled person for corruption”.
” Let us hope that the efforts being made by the National Judicial Council to address the welfare needs of judicial officers will yield the expected results sooner than later. I am also hopeful that with the ongoing interactions with Governor Chukwuma Soludo a holistic review of the welfare packages of all categories of judicial officers and staff of the Judiciary in Anambra State will take place. In the long run, the solution for the survival of the judiciary as an institution, and as an equal arm of government, lies in its total financial autonomy.
“Judicial Autonomy Law 2022 is an existing law in Anambra State. However, the records show that it is yet to be implemented in any State of the federation. For us Anambra State, we acknowledge the expressed desires of Mr. Governor to enhance and improve the Judiciary but the impact is yet to fully materialize. We hope this may be actualized in the coming year.
“Mr. Governor is duly appreciated for the eleven (11) vehicles purchased and supplied to some Hon. Judges, whose vehicles had since fallen over due for a change. Some others have also become due and the requests are on course.
“We are generally strategizing and working out proposals aimed at attending to that of the learned DCRs, Magistrates and Presidents of the Customary Court. Until it is actualized our efforts cannot be noticed and/or appreciated.
“Once more we appeal to Mr. Governor to give the welfare of the Judiciary Arm a priority in the new legal year considering the peculiar job schedules’. Anyachebelu said
