The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has sworn in Etomike Ndigwe and Tagbo Anieto as high court judges of the Anambra State judiciary.
A statement by Soludo’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, on Friday, indicated that the governor performed the swearing-in function at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Awka.
It added that the swearing-in ceremony follows an effort to lessen the current workload of judges in the state.
It said the governor congratulated the “newest” members of Anambra’s core court of judges and expressed gratitude to God for their calling to public service as outstanding professionals.
Soludo stated that, despite the difficulties, he will resolve the issue of judges’ entitlements in phases starting in March of next month.
The statement read, “The three branches of government; the legislative, executive, and judiciary which are all fairly represented here today, will cooperate to create a livable and prosperous Anambra.
“Security, law, and order are our top priorities and comprise our first agenda among our five pillars. Nothing happens if it is absent!
“Our second agenda, which focuses on infrastructure and economic transformation, cannot be carried out if our first agenda is not successfully carried out.
“Underscoring the importance of the team, everything depends on the rule of law if we want to create jobs, raise money to make things run smoothly, get rid of touts and criminals on the street, make the legal system function, etc.
“Enormous duty rests squarely on your shoulders. The chief judge always reminded me that we are second to Lagos in terms of productivity, so maybe that will change positively.
“Within the limitations imposed by the problems we must overcome, we will make every effort to ensure that the working conditions and surroundings are as comfortable as possible.
“As a government, the executive branch, we will go above and beyond to heed to what you demand, for swift administration of justice. We will make some commitments, but the only constraint is revenue.”
Soludo stated that as Anambra begins the internally-generated revenue revolution, as it has been in Lagos, he asked for an aggressive judiciary to cope with it and work hard to collect money from the populace.
He said, “Unfortunately, Anambra is one of the states in the nation with the lowest revenue payments. The people paid a total of N20bn in one year.
“Even though we are not Lagos, if we can collect even just five per cent of what Lagos does, we may earn up to N50bn annually.
“I don’t hold anyone responsible for the oil boom, which caused people to forget to pay taxes used to build Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, and Aba.
“As oil production declines, we must revert to outdated methods of tax collection.
“We are determined to give ndi Anambra value, flagging off and building roads, and for that reason, we are cutting down all.
“Our shared responsibility is to work together for a better Anambra. By the grace of God, Anambra will continue to win.
“We will keep juggling the balls.”
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Sylvia Ifemeje, in her opening remarks presented the two nominees recommended by the Anambra Judicial Council for appointment into the Anambra Judiciary pursuant to section 271 (2) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended.
Ifemeje pointed out that they are the first set of judges Soludo is swearing in since assuming office as governor.
She reminded the nominees that the oath of office they are about to take obligates them to support and defend the constitution of Nigeria.
She also added that they are expected to enforce the rule of law fearlessly because their appointment is timely and would go a long way to reduce the current workload on judges.
Earlier, the Chief Registrar, Anambra State Judiciary, Chinyere Ossy Okoye, presented the nominees to Soludo, to invoke his constitutional rights to appoint and swear them in as High Court Judges of Anambra State.
The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Onochie Anyachelu who initiated the appointment process which has come to fruition on his part said it is a special event towards the path to a quick dispensation of justice.
The Speaker, Anambra House of Assembly, Dr Uche Okafor; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; Head of Service, Theodore Igwegbe; Deputy Speaker, Anambra House of Assembly, Pascal Agbodike; Commissioner for Special Duties, Sly Ezeokenwa; Solicitor General, Anambra State, Ngozi Ilunoh Esq; Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu; Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu; Special Adviser on Culture and Entertainment, Chief Sir Bob Manuel Udokwu; Judges and members of Anambra State Bar Association, amongst others attended the event.