… As Legal Year Kicks off
By Iheanyi Enwerem
The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Her Excellency Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, PhD, has called for collective responsibility between the Bar and the Bench to restore judicial excellence in the state.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, during the commencement of the new legal year in Owerri, themed “Rekindling Judicial Excellence: The Bar, The Bench and the Burden of Restoration”, the Deputy Governor emphasised that both arms of the legal profession must share the burden of reviving confidence in the judiciary.
The event, which began with a thanksgiving mass at the Anglican Church of the Pentecost, New Owerri, and later continued at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa High Court Complex, attracted key members of the judiciary, clergy, and government officials.
Lady Ekomaru noted that the growing resort to self-help in society stems from waning trust in the judicial system, stressing the need to recruit competent and credible judges at all court levels. She assured that the concerns raised by the judiciary would be duly conveyed to Governor Uzodimma, whom she described as a “performing, peace-loving, and judiciary-friendly leader.”
In her remarks, the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, commended the Governor for his consistent support towards strengthening judicial leadership and reforms. She also appealed for the upgrade of court infrastructures across the state.
Delivering the sermon at the thanksgiving service, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Okorafor, described the judiciary as “the citadel of society,” warning that when the citadel is corrupt, the entire system collapses. He urged legal practitioners to uphold integrity and discipline.
The ceremony featured paper presentations, goodwill messages, and commendations from notable members of the Imo State judiciary.