Abia judicial committee uncovers infractions

The Committee on the Reform of the Judiciary set up by Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has said it observed numerous infractions in the system.

They range from age falsification by affidavit by judicial officers, recruitment of 85 staff without waiver, existence of too many courts and Magistrates Districts that were also overstaffed.

Chairman of the Committee and State Attorney General, Chief Umeh Kalu (SAN), said this while submitting his committee’s report to the governor at government house, Umuahia.

Kalu said while executing their assignment of identifying the staff strength of the judiciary and Court harmonization, his members toured the 17 LGAs, visited the courts, 31 magistrates courts, 54 customary courts and one Customary Court of Appeal.

The committee therefore recommended that those who falsified their ages be compulsorily retired, while the Judiciary Service Commission re-deploys the surplus staff to the ministries where their services may be needed and lawyers among them assigned to appropriate positions.

Kalu who thanked the governor for the opportunity, said it was also their recommendation that the state magisterial districts be reduced from 43 to 17 such that there will be one District in each of the 17 LGAs.

The governor who described the findings of the committee as unfortunate said: “The judiciary as a sacred institution is not supposed to produce persons who are not sincere and patriotic to the state through their attitude to government work”.

The governor, who said government would study the report and implement the recommendations, commended the committee for discharging its assignment timely.