5th from right: Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Tessy Diai; Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa; Retiring President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze, and judicial officers of Delta Judiciary, AG Mr. Isaiah Bozimo, Esq. shortly after a valedictory court session in honour of Hon. Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze at the High Court complex, Asaba.
The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa has sworn in Honourable Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere as the acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.
The swearing in which took place today 6th April 2023 at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba was preceded by the retirement of Honourable Justice Patient Onuwa Elumeze after the mandatory 65 years in public service.
Governor Okowa asserted that the appointment of the acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal was in line with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which stipulates that the highest-ranking judge in the Customary Court of Appeal will act as PCCA pending the conferment by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
He charged her to redouble efforts in continuing to be a good example of hard work and transparency in her new office, pointing out that the reward of hard work was more work.
"To Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere, I urge you to redouble your efforts and continue to be a good example of hard work, transparency, accountability, fairness, and justice."
Let me reiterate the point I stressed to your predecessor that 'This office will further stretch your resourcefulness, challenge your intellect, task your patience, encroach on your time, and test your value system. You must maintain a high level of focus, diligence, and personal probity,' the governor advised.
Dr. Okowa expressed confidence that the acting PCCA was well positioned to take the Customary Court system to new heights of excellence and justice delivery having been part of the system since 2000.
He emphasised that those who administer justice under the Customary Court system must be men and women of impeccable character, free from selfishness, greed, and covetousness.
According to him, such ones must be driven by the principle of natural justice, fair hearing, equity, common sense, and a good conscience which are the bedrock of the Customary Court system.
"As this administration winds down, we can take pride in our modest efforts to provide the judiciary with the right tools, personal and conducive environment to administer justice without any let or hindrance," he reiterated.
Governor Okowa disclosed that his administration has created four areas and four district Customary Courts, recruited over 400 staff for the CCA, which has helped to address the perennial problems of manpower shortages in the sector.
The acting PCCA, Honourable Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere thanked God, the governor, her brother judges, and well wishers for contributing in one way or the other to make her what she is today.
She promised not let them down in discharging the constitutional responsibilities of her new office.
Agbaragu Timothy
High Court,
Asaba.
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