Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State today sworn in five newly appointed Judges into the State Judiciary at the State Government House Asaba with a charge to avoid granting frivolous injunctions and frequent adjournment of cases.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony, Governor Okowa said, “One of the things you (Judges) must guard against is the frivolous use of injunctions and the frequent adjournments of cases, which not only leads to delay and congested courts but has also contributed to negative perception of the Judiciary in the court of public opinion”.
Okowa, who submits that such bottlenecks are inimical to the development of the judicial system, said, “Judges have an obligation to see to it that justice is not only served but, also seen to be served, so that the Judiciary does not lose the confidence of the public from which it ultimately derives its authority”.
Governor Okowa emphasized that “As Judges, fairness, equity and justice must be your watchword at all times, you must maintain a high level of focus, discipline and personal probity”.
While congratulating the Judges for their appointments, the Governor asserted, “as you begin your journey as privileged members of the Bench, I expect you to continue in the same spirit of hard work, excellence and forthrightness that earned you this appointment, this is not the time for you to rest on your oars, your job as judges will further challenge your intellect, demand greater resourcefulness, task your creativity, stretch your patience, encroach on your time and test your value system”.
The Governor disclosed that the 5 Judges were “screened, selected and appointed in line with laid down procedures for such appointments as enshrined in Section 271, sub section (2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)”.
Those sworn in are Mrs. Celestina Dafe-Idise, Egwu Joe, Dr. Anthony Ezonfade Okorodas, Blessing Oghale Ideh (Mrs), and Edun Ajueyitsi Joshua.
In a different development, the Delta state governor approved the grant of total pardon to 5 inmates who were serving various terms of imprisonment, and commuted 30 others on death row to life imprisonment.
This is contained in a statement released from the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor.
According to the statement, the governor acted in pursuant to powers vested on him in exercise of his powers of prerogative of mercy in the spirit of the Easter celebration and took into considerations the several international and local pleas including those from Amnesty International.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice explained that the Governor acted in accordance to his constitutional powers based on the recommendations of the 7-Man Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy headed by Chief Patrick Okpakpor that was inaugurated by the Delta Governor on 30th March, 2017.
According to the statement, the Governor approved the grant of full pardon to the following inmates and ordered their immediate release; Livinus Ugwu (M) who was sentenced to 20 years, Enebeli Dike (M), a condemned convict, Orji Pascal (M), serving a 10 year jail term, Moses Agedah who was also on death row and Martins Ishiekwene, a prisoner sentenced to death on the 30th of November, 1998.
The 30 inmates whose sentences were commuted by the Governor were all death row inmates, sentenced to death by hanging.
The statement further stated that Okowa’s administration was irrevocably committed to better the lives of the people including prisoners as the government has come out with various rehabilitation programmes through skill acquisitions, trainings and other empowerment programmes geared towards their reintegration back into the society.