Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said his administration is making the state’s judicial system 21st century-complaint by providing the judiciary the required support and enablement.
Otti said this when he flagged-off one of the administration’s proposed model court buildings in each of the 17 local governments of the state at Umuene Magistrate Court, Isiala Ngwa South local government.
“This project speaks volumes of our commitment to building a community with access to justice. We will work with the judiciary and other stakeholders to build an ecosystem where justice is the order of the day,” he said.
He further explained that the project is in line with the administration’s vision of working closely with the judicial arm of government to create robust channels for speedy dispensation of justice.
“This initiative is anchored on the common understanding that access to justice is an irreducible minimum in a democracy and it must be delivered on schedule,” he added.
At the event, the chief judge of the state, Justice Lilian Abai lauded Otti for his drive towards improved justice delivery in the state, assuring that the judiciary will uphold the rule of law.
In a comment, the state attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna decried the condition of most court buildings in the state and thanked Otti for the drive to change the story.
Chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Isialangwa and Aba branches, Eze Nwaegoro and Charles Onuchukwu, in separate remarks, described the event as an epoch one.
The chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Public Complaints, Anderson Akaliro, expressed delight that the intervention would improve justice delivery in the state.
While welcoming the guests, the mayor of the local government, Nwambusi Elele, noted that until the intervention, the court was in a very dilapidated condition and thanked Governor Otti for the flag-off.