funding of the courts in Nigeria hampers quick dispensation of cases.
Bulkachuwa who said the increased demand of the Court Appeal which had
seen it grow from three in 1976 to 16 in 2011 was a demonstration of
faith in that arm of the court a crucial in the development of the
nation’s judicial system.
She however said though the number of divisions of the court had
increased over the years, the budget for it had either been static or
declining.
She lauded the Anambra government for seeing to the successful
completion of the project while assuring that people who came to the
court would go back satisfied that justice had not been done but be
manifestly seen to have been done.
The opening of this court is a milestone in this country for the Court
of Appeal in particular and the Judiciary in general, it is an epoch
making event which should gladden the heart of everybody.
The current tend in the justice management system is anchored on
probity, accountability, ethics ,good dispensation of justice and
bringing justice closer to he people, but bringing it close to the
people has posed a great challenge to the entire judiciary.
For instance, the court has been growing in number from three in 1976 to
five in 1977, to 10 in 1999 and 16 divisions in 2011 but it might
surprise you that while the number was increasing, the budget envelope
is wither static or decreasing.
“It is our expectation that this situation will improve to increase
judicial service delivery in the country.
Your excellency, the governor and people of Anambra It is or fervent
hope and prayer that after the commissioning, it will be possible for us
to operate under a peaceful and conducive atmosphere to do our duties to
all and sundry without fear or favour ,” she said.
In his welcome address, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, Acting Chief Judge
of Anambra said the establishment of the Court of Appeal in the state
was overdue.
Anyachebelu said statistics show that 60 per cent of cases in Enugu
division of the Court where matters from the state were appealed
emanated from Anambra.
He thanked the Court of Appeal for empaneling a team of three judges to
kick start the Awka division but pointed out that with the number of
cases being churned out in Anambra, two panels of five judges would be
adequate to treat them.
He commended Obiano for giving judiciary a pride of place in his
government and his respect of rule of law while pledging a robust
relationship with judges of the Court of Appeal.
According, the governor does not interfere in the duties of our
judges.
In his speech, Gov. Willie Obiano described the Court of Appeal in
Anambra as a child of necessity.
He said he was happy to have the 18th division of the Court of Appeal
inaugurated in Anambra during his time.
Obiano said a large expanse of land had been earmarked for the
construction of permanent projects of the Court in the state.
He said lawyers from the state would no longer travel to Enugu for
appellate determination of their matters.