The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa on Wednesday commissioned the Anambra division of the Court of Appeal in Awka.
Bulkachuwa expressed happiness about the support of the Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano in ensuring the establishment of court, saying that it is her hope that the court would serve the purpose of its establishment.
“Going by statistics and Justice dispensation, Anambra has 60% of the cases in Appeal Court in Enugu.
“It is a mile stone in the history of the Court of Appeal and the Nigeria judiciary and should gladen the minds of the ordinary Nigerian because it is long overdue.
“This will bring Justice closer to the people. We praise states like Anambra who have provided the needed resources to ensure that the courts open here, despite their meager resources.
“The past and present chief justices of Nigeria who have been associated with the request and the NJC for approving the request. We are grateful for the support of the governor and we hope that you will continue to support us.”
Speaking at the event, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano said the inauguration of the court would save litigants from Anambra the risk of travelling to Enugu from Awka to seek Justice.
He said, “Today is a great day in the history of the Judiciary in Anambra State. Today, this great state finally stands on her own feet in the administration of justice after decades of relying on the Court of Appeal in Enugu for litigations beyond the jurisdiction of the High Courts.
“In commissioning this complex today, we hope to reduce the risk faced by our lawyers and litigants who have been condemned to travel to and from Enugu every now and then, in search of justice. The records show that 75% of the cases in the Court of Appeal in Enugu usually comes from Anambra State. Considering the state of federal roads across the country, this move becomes a development out of necessity and a symbol of goodwill to our lawyers and citizens questing for justice.”
Obiano said, “I am reliably informed that before now, there were only 16 Courts of Appeal in the country but with the recent establishment of four new ones in Awka, Asaba, Kano and Gombe, we now have 20. Of these four new courts, Awka is the second to be commissioned. I guess that makes us the 18th Court of Appeal in Nigeria. So, this is no mean achievement considering that there are 36 states in the country.”
He said that besides the inauguration of the court, his government has mapped out a big expanse of land for the permanent site of the court.
The inauguration was commended by a huge number of people in the Justice delivery sector, with some also commending former governor, Mr Peter Obi for initiating the process of the establishment of the court.
Former attorney general and commissioner of Justice of the state, Mr Peter Afuba who spoke with DAILY POST said, “The application for the court to be established in Awka kicked off during my time as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under former Governor Peter Obi’s regime when Obi’s administration attracted the establishment of a Federal High Court and Customary Court of Appeal in Awka.
“I commend former Governor Peter Obi for his foresight in initiating the process and incumbent Governor Willie Obiano for understanding that Government is a continuum by actualizing the establishment of the Court of Appeal in the state.
