Olewengwa Hails Two-Day Hybrid Workshop For Judges of Lower Courts in Abia State
The Chairman/Mayor, Association of Judges of Customary Court of Nigeria (AJUCCON), Abia State Chapter, His Worship Dr. Diamond Olewengwa (FCPDM) has described the two-day Hybrid Workshop for Judges of the Lower Courts in Abia State organized by the Abia State Judiciary Customary Court of Appeal in collaboration with the Association of Judges of Customary Court of Nigeria (AJUCCON), Abia State Chapter as a huge success and promise fulfilled.
It held at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Pastoral Centre, Umuahia – the capital city of Abia State on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 and ended the following day.
The well-attended two-day workshop, which brought together legal luminaries in the state was declared open by the Honourable President, Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State, Hon. Justice Okey I. Nwamoh.
His esteemed presence alongside other highly respected legal luminaries in the state including Hon Justice K. C. J. Okereke, Hon. Justice Joyce Adiele, Barr. Emeka Onyenso, His Worship Dr. Emmanuel A. Esiaba, His Worship Ijeoma Nkume, His Worship Obioma Nwachukwu among others added colour to the significance of the workshop.
In his keynote address, Hon. Justice Okey I. Nwamoh expressed optimism that the workshop would inspire more knowledge and actions aimed at realizing the theme of the Workshop, “Towards A Better Administration of Justice in the Lower Courts”.
In his welcome address, Dr. Diamond Olewengwa described the Workshop as part of AJUCCON’s commitment under his watch towards strengthening the capacity of Judges of the Lower Courts in the state through seminars, workshops and Conferences.
He expressed satisfaction that he has fulfilled his promise of organizing a Workshop for Judges of the Customary Courts in the state after his re-election as the chairman of AJUCCON, Abia State Chapter.
The two-day Hybrid Workshop was divided into sessions. There were discussions, comments, questions and answers at the end of each session.
The first session of the Workshop was handled by Dr. Joshua Onyebuchi Ogbonna, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.
His presentation titled: “The Challenges and Prospects in the Administration of Justice in the Customary Courts in Abia State was moderated by Paul Ogubunka Esq, the Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Abia State.
He defined Customary Court as one of the institutions established for the administration of justice in Nigeria adding that it appears to have taken the centre-stage in conflict resolution in recent times.
He enumerated some of the challenges facing Customary Courts including difference between Indigenous laws and Customary laws, inadequate jurisdiction of the Court over Causes and Matters, Statutory Restriction on the Court over land Matters among others.
However, he noted that a significant improvement has been made in the administration of justice in Abia State since the 2022 Customary Courts’ (Amendment) Law came into effect.
The second session was moderated by the Chief Registrar, Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State, His Worship I. O. Nkume while His Worship C. N. Okwun, the Chief Inspector, Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State delivered the topic, “Ethics and Code of Conduct for Judges of the Lower Courts”.
He highlighted the role of Judges in the society including the high expectations from the people and harped on the need for them to be above board.
The topic for the third session, “Curbing Delays in the Administration of Justice in the Lower Courts” which brought the event of the first day of the workshop to an end was handled by Gregory Udo Chimezie, the Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, Abia State while the Chairman of AJUCCON, Abia State Chapter, His Worship Dr. Diamond Olewengwa anchored it.
The second day began with the session four lecture titled, “Visit to Locus: Issues and Challenges” handled by the Deputy Chief Registrar (Special Duties), Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State, His Worship Emmanuel A. Esiaba, PhD, FICMIC while His Worship Edward Chukwu, the Deputy Chief Registrar (Personnel), Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State moderated it.
He defined the subject matter as an indispensable tool in the adjudicatory process and outlined the circumstances that would warrant the visit to locus, the procedure or methods to be followed in conducting it, the challenges and prospects.
The fifth session titled, “Stress Management and Health Tips for Judicial Officers” was handled by Dr. Udo Mark, a medical practitioner and lecturer at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba under the chairmanship of Dr. Eugene Uhuaba, Ministry of Health, Abia State.
He recommended that stress management should form part of the training of legal professionals.
His Worship U. M. Uduma handled the topic of the Sixth Session, “Record of Evidence, Judgement Writing and Execution of Judgement in the Customary Court” while His Worship Chinedu Irokanulo, the chairman, Customary Court, Arochukwu chaired it.
At the end, certificates were presented to the participants while the following recommendations were made.
First, to empower Abia State Chairmen of Customary Courts and all Judges of the Lower Courts with facilities and mobility for speedy execution of their duties.
Second, to enhance court halls, facilities, and staff welfare for optimal performance.
Third, to carry along Judges of the Lower Courts constitutionally as judicial officers through Amendment of the Constitution.
Fourth, to increase vide state legislation the monetary jurisdiction of the Customary Courts.
Fifth, to broaden its criminal and civil jurisdiction.
The workshop attracted the presence of so many legal giants in Abia State and other notable dignitaries including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna ably represented by the Solicitor-General of the State/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Abia State, Mr. Paul Ogubunka while the Abia State Judicial Service Commission was represented by the Secretary, JSC, Barr. Greg Chikezie.
The Special Guest of Honours were Chief Iyke Okpaji (Lex Word), Chief Ugochukwu Nduwuisi (Eze-elect) and Chief Monday George (Eze-elect).
Photo Credit: London Photos Umuahia
