FG To Give Judges’ Welfare, Capacity-building Priority – AGF

Federal government has said it is committed to improving the justice system and enhancing the capacity of the judges.

The attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) gave this assurance while speaking in Abuja, yesterday.

The AGF spoke at a valedictory court session held by the Court of Appeal for the late Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua who died on March 8, as the Presiding Justice of the Benin division of the court.

Fagbemi said: “The federal government will continue to support the Judiciary and ensure that the health and welfare of the judges remains the priority of this administration.”

Fagbemi who, like every speaker at the event, eulogised the deceased, said her keen and brilliant insight into legal matters, earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and colleagues.

He added: “It is indeed, safe to say that throughout her professional journey, Honourable Justice Orji-Abadua not only achieved brilliant success, but also served as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring legal professionals in her exceptional demonstration of the importance of integrity, diligence, and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice.

“Her contributions to the Judiciary, at the different levels of the Nigeria Judicature, indeed stands as a testament to her exceptional legal prowess and unwavering commitment to upholding the Rule of Law.”

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said Justice Orji-Abadua was a jurist of unimpeachable character who had a very simple and humble nature.

Justice Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by the Presiding Justice of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, noted that the deceased was in the service of the Judiciary for 27 years, 16 of which were spent at the Court of Appeal.

She added that although Justice Orji-Abadua was no longer around, her “contributions to the development of the law will remain and continue to help our jurisprudence to grow.”

The chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who spoke for the Body of Senior Advocates, Paul Usoro (SAN) equally spoke glowingly about the deceased.

Awomolo described the late Justice Orji-Abadua as a fair and thorough jurist, who served without blemish.

The deceased’s widower, Dr Benjamin Abadua expressed delight about the beautiful things said about his late wife.

Abadua said his late wife was a forthright personality who was always conscious of the truth and justice.