Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo on Monday swore-in seven new judges of the State High Court and three Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal.
Their appointment followed a recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly sworn-in High Court judges are Uchenna Njoku, Cletus Akowundu, Mathew Ijezie, Chukwumaeze Chibuogwu, Adaego Nnosiri, Linus Ononogbo and Emeka Orafu.
The three judges of the Customary Court of Appeal sworn-in are Uchenna Ofoha, Greenman Eleanya and Ibeh Oluehi.
Addressing them after they took oath of office at the Government House, Owerri, Uzodimma urged them to join in the sacred duty of serving the people by delivering unbiased judgments.
The governor, who congratulated them on their appointment, also urged them to uphold high level of integrity and honour in the discharge of their duties without fear or favour.
“Judges must be very sensible and solemn; therefore, I charge you not to be less.
“You should not only have to be circumspect, but ensure that you do your job with the fear of God,” he said.
He noted that for some time now, judges and others who served in the temple of justice had been under scrutiny as a result of perceived indiscretion in justice dispensation.
“You should never conduct yourselves in a manner that will make the public to doubt your integrity.
“Always remember that you are the last hope of the common man,” he stressed.
The governor promised to provide the judges with the needed support to help them discharge their duties efficiently and effectively.
He noted that since he assumed office he had done a lot to enhance the welfare of the judges and the judiciary in general including clearing of arrears of salaries.
Uzodimma also said he had provided vehicles to the judges, renovated judicial buildings and equipped them with state-of-the-art infrastructure.
The governor further announced the donation of 16 new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) to the 16 judges including the newly sworn-in 10 judges.
He appealed to relations and friends of the judges not to place undue pressure on the judges that could make them derail in their averred duties.
In an acceptance speech on behalf of the judges, Justice Uchenna Njoku, expressed gratitude to God for their nomination and subsequent approval.
Njoku also thanked the governor for “proving dependable” as well as appreciated the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theresa Chikeka for her support.
She assured the governor that they would deliver on their mandate and contribute their quota to the development of the state.
Earlier, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Cyprian Akaolisa, lauded the governor for appointing the judges as recommended by the NJC.
Akaolisa said their appointments would go a long way in making justice easier and accessible to the people of the state.
He described their appointment as a good thing happening to the judiciary in Imo and noted that before now the State Judiciary had been in short supply of judges. (NAN).
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