Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha at the weekend directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ndukwe Nnawuchi (SAN) to make details of a draft bill for a law to domesticate Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) for easy dispensation of justice.
Ihedioha gave the order while swearing in seven judges of the state’s high courts and two for the customary court of appeal, saying the action was in his determination to be at pace globally in the dispensation of criminal justice.
Speaking during the brief ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Council Chambers, he said the state government under his watch would connect legally to other parts of the world.
He recalled that there was co-existence of the three arms of government, urging the new judges to work according to the dictates of their job, adding: “To ensure good governance, the three arms of government must coexist as separate organs of government independently, but collaboratively.
“We have reconstituted the Judicial Service Commission, renovation of Judges Quarters has begun. We have also ensured payment of salaries of judges as and when due, and provided official guards for them.”
Responding, Chief Justice of the state, Paschal Nnadi, affirmed that Ihedioha had rejigged the state’s judiciary, culminating in several gains recorded in the judicial system, including quick dispensation of justice.
Meanwhile, following intelligence security reports, the Imo State Government has warned the suspended 27 local council chairmen, councilors and other officials to desist from allegedly planning mayhem in their attempt to forcibly retake their positions or face the wrath of law.
This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Uche Onyeguocha.
Governor Ihedioha had last year in obedience to the resolution of the state House of Assembly, directed the suspension of the chairmen and councilors, who were elected under the immediate past administration of Rochas Okorocha.
In their place, Ihedioha announced an Interim Management Committees (IMCs) for six months at the first instance and extended the IMCs tenure by another six months in Dcember last year, but the suspended officials sought redress in court.
GUARDIAN
