Delta State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Marshal Umukoro performs the opening ceremony of Abraka Judicial Division of High Court of Justice while HRM (AVM) Lucky O. Ararile Avwaeke 1, Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom (right), the representative of HRM Akpomeyoma Majoroh, Ojeta 11, Ovie of Oruarive-Abraka Kingdom Chief (Mrs) Judith Enamotor (left), Judges of Delta State Judiciary and others look on.

Decentralization of justice delivery system in Delta State received a boost as the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro inaugurated the Abraka Judicial Division of High Court of Justice  today,  in Abraka.

The new Division which, was carved out of Isiokolo Judicial Division is made up of 15 towns and villages including Abraka Urban, Otorho, Erho, Ogbeje and Agbarha. 

In his address, The Chief Judge stated that the creation of the Abraka Judicial Division arose principally from the need to bring justice  nearer to the people. 

"At the inception of my administration as Chief Judge of Delta State in 2015, I have committed myself to ensuring that the Rule of Law is sustained through easy access to justice and thereby promoting the United Nation's goal for sustainable development for our people" he emphasized. 

According to him, the factors that necessitated the creation of the Abraka Judicial Division included the fact that Abraka, as a university town, has over the years assumed urban status and has generated intense commercial activities, increase in criminality, that over 65% cases in Isiokolo Judicial Division originated from the new Division and that Abraka Judicial Division would afford legal practitioners and clients easy access to justice.

While expressing appreciation to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the enormous support to the Judiciary since his assumption of office as Chief Judge of Delta State despite the harsh economic climate, the State number one Judicial Officer charged pioneer staff to uphold code of conduct for court employees, even as he cautioned that appropriate sanctions would be mete out to any erring staff in line with extant rules through the Judicial Service Commission.

He decried the spate of burning of court buildings in the state, tasking youths of Abraka to protect the court building.

Justice Umukoro who implored Judicial officers to abide by the Judicial Oath subscribed to, exhorted legal practitioners to always stand on the side of justice, but to eschew conduct that would obstruct the administration of justice. 

While assuring litigants of equity in the dispensation of justice without fear or favour, Justice Umukoro who is a member of the National Judicial Council (NJC) advised those with credible allegations against judges to approach the NJC rather than spreading unsubstantiated allegations, rumours and blackmail against judges through the media.

In a goodwill message, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Ajuyah, SAN, thanked the Chief Judge for establishing the Abraka Judicial Division of Delta State High Court, asserting that his tenure has witnessed the rise in numbers of Judicial and Magisterial Divisions in the State.

Responding on behalf of Abraka Kingdom, the Secretary of Oruarivie Abraka Traditional Council of Chiefs, Chief E. J. Efe lauded the Chief Judge for the development, stating that the new Judicial Division would reduce travel costs to the people of Abraka and correspondingly lead to a speedier dispensation of justice.

By Agbaragu Timothy, Esq.