Enugu State Judiciary has commenced the 2020/2021 legal year with a call on the members of the judiciary to work harmoniously for the advancement of justice in order to restore the hope of their generation in the justice sector.
Chief Judge of Enugu State , Hon. Justice Ngozi Priscilia Emehelu, made the call on Monday in her address to mark the opening of the 2020/2021 legal year held at the Hon. Justice I.A.UmezulikeAuditorium, High Court premises, Enugu.
She highlighted the achievements recorded in the past year, 2019/2020 legal year with joy, commending Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, members of the state executive council, the legislature, members of the bar, the bench and judiciary workers for their cooperation which led to the successes recorded so far in the state judiciary.
Some of the achievements recorded include review of High Court and Magistrate Court rules which was last reviewed in 2006, setting up of Small Claims Court to provide easy access to an informal inexpensive and speedy resolution of debt recovery disputes in the Court for claims not exceeding Five million, In House training, establishment of Fast Track Court, Family Court rules committee was set up to male rules of practices and procedure applicable in the family Court, introduction of Enugu State judiciary seal, aimed at authenticating and affirming the genuinesss of all documents and processes emanating from the Judiciary, of Enugu State was commenced, construction of new High Court and magistrate court buildings, , Customised letters of administration and probate of Wills, and Information Technology/ Virtual Court Hearing with the aim of working out the Rules of practise and procedure for virtual hearing of cases and to stream line other areas involving the use of technology in the Court system, .
Others include the setting up of Enugu State Court Law Report, Enugu State Judiciary annual staff award among others
The Chief Judge noted that ” the milestones accomplished in the past legal year could not have been possible without the industry of the Chief Registrar of the High Court and Customary Court of Appeal “and other staff of the judiciary..
Emehelu disclosed that that at the High Court, between September 1st to 31st August, 2020, a total of 6881 cases were pending, cases filed were 3,092, Cases disposed of were 1, 722 and Cases pending at the end of the period was 8,092.
At the Magistrate Court, the state Chief Judge disclosed that 4, 855 cases were pending at the beginning, 5,729 cases were filed, Cases disposed of were 3, 471 and Cases pending at the end of the period were 6, 961.
She said that there exists cordial relationships between the judiciary the executives and the legislature.
Speaking at the event, Ugwuanyi, represented by Mrs Ezeilo, commended the State Judiciary for the successes recorded in the past legal years.
He said that the Theme of the 2020 legal year, “Legal Profession Post COVID-19: Virtual Hearing in Perspective” was apt.
According to him, the ‘ new normals’ has been forced on all .the judiciary is not alone, is not an exception .
The governor noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to the Supreme Court’s approval for the “Virtual Hearing” as new normals.
Ugwuanyi, while praising the State Judiciary, said: “As a government, we are proud to say that the Enugu State judiciary is the best in the country.”
