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Obi, eminent jurists extol virtues of Umezulike

By Joseph Onyekwere
10 September 2019   |   3:19 am
The former governor of Anambra State and the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the last presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi as well as other eminent jurist will on September 27, extol the virtues of late Chief Judge of Enugu State....

Justice Professor Innocent Azubike Umezulike

The former governor of Anambra State and the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the last presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi as well as other eminent jurist will on September 27, extol the virtues of late Chief Judge of Enugu State, Innocent Umezulike at his one year memorial lecture in Enugu.

The event will also feature a book presentation in honour of the late jurist. While Obi will chair the occasion, the head of Department of Private and Property Law, University of Benin, Prof. Emeka Chianu will be the guest lecturer to discuss “The overriding Role of the Judiciary in Contemporary Democracy.”

The administrator, National Judicial Institute (NJI) and former Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Rosaline Bozimo, (OFR) will deliver the keynote address, while discussants will consist of judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Professors of Law.

According to Victor Azubike Umezulike, one of the trustees of Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation, the book is titled, “Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike: A Chronicle of Leading Judgments Volume 1” and the forward was written by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (CFR).

His words: “The book is a three-part volume book offering in-depth analysis of the landmark judgments of an intellectual giant and one of Africa's most prolific writer on land and property law. The book chronicles a meticulous and comprehensive selection of notable cases spanning from Hon. Justice Umezulike’s stellar career on the bench.

”A judicial activist, Justice Umezulike, therefore, utilized the law for its real purpose in the interests of fairness and justice. His Lordship showed panache for not strictly adhering to precedent and ensured that his incisive judgments foreshadowed the move towards moulding the law to suit changing times and circumstances. Readers will immerse in the perspicacious interpretation of the law, which depicts Justice Umezulike’s brilliance in the application and mastery of the law.”

Late justice Umezulike was the best in his knowledge of the law, distinguished for his expertise in land and property law. He had to his credit 23 law books before his eternal bow in June 2018.He was the longest-serving Chief Judge in South Eastern Nigeria and is remembered for receiving over 100 distinguished Legal honours and awards for excellence in service as a distinguished Judge of Enugu State High Court for over 23 years.

In commending the effort of the foundation, Senator Lee Maeba remarked: “Hon. Justice Innocent Azubike Umezulike is a law reformist, chairman of several law reform committees, a passionate man, a defender of his conscience at crucial decision making all through the course of his stellar career. His Lordship died a good man, professor emeritus, legal icon and an incorruptible judge of national repute.

“His children Chisom Cynthia Umezulike and Victor Azubike Umezulike have demonstrated solid love and respect for their late father by taking the first vital step to immortalizing him with the commissioning of the foundation to ensure that the dream of this great man lives on.”

The one-year memorial event, which will take place at Justice I.A Umezulike Auditorium, inside Enugu State High Court complex on Friday, September 27, 2019, will start 2:00pm. It will conclude with a church service on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at the Cathedral of Good Shepherd, Independence Layout Enugu. The service will be officiated by Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma (OON), the Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of Anglican Communion Enugu Diocese of Enugu.

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