-as three new judges are sworn in
Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has raised alarm over the paucity of judges in Enugu saying that the National Judicial Commission (JSC) must intervene to forestall a crisis situation in the state judiciary.
Governor Chime who was speaking today (28/3/2014) while swearing in three new Judges of the State Judiciary, also urged the NJC to live up to its responsibility of ensuring the full independence of the judiciary saying this will be in the best interest of judges in the country.
The three new judges are; Justice Ngozi Rosemary Orji of the State High Court and Justices Chiemelie Onaga and Ada Obayi both of the State Customary Court of Appeal.
Governor Chime said the shortage of Judges in the State was occasioned by retirements noting that with many more Judges retiring next year, the approval by the NJC of the appointment of only three new Judges could hardly serve the purpose of filling the many vacancies in the state judiciary. The Governor offered to devote his personal efforts and energy towards making the NJC give favourable attention to the call for the appointment new Judges in the State.
He also lamented that the failure of the NJC to secure full independence for the Judiciary had meant that the States have continued to be saddled with the responsibility of funding the judiciary with the consequence that the welfare of Judges are equally addressed across the country.
Lending his voice to the call for appointment of more Judges for the State, the Chief Judge Justice Innocent Umezuluike, warned that failure of the NJC to approve the appointment of new judges for the State before June 2015 will lead to a situation where “the Enugu State Judiciary, will likely stagger and kiss the dust”.
The Chief Judge however expressed satisfaction with the level of competence of the newly appointed Judges saying that they were tested and experienced hands who will help to fortify and re-energize the state judiciary.
Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Justice Ngozi Orji expressed gratitude to the State Governor, the State Judicial Service Commission and the NJC for finding them worthy of recommendation to the coveted position.
She pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them by working harder to ensure that the “Enugu State Judiciary becomes the envy of the society”.
