By Michael Nnebife
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has charged the state judiciary to tighten its machineries in the ongoing fight against fake and heinous African Religious Practices for lasting peace and security in the state.
Governor Soludo gave this charge in Awka, recently, at the occasion of the 88th Birthday Anniversary of a former Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Ude Ononiba, and the public presentation of the book, ”Wisdom on the Bench: The Enduring Legacies of Justice Godwin Ononiba”.
The Governor, who observed that the book would give people all the nuggets geared towards full definitions and understanding of the need to advancing the course of Justice Ononiba’s legal journey and background, noted that the judiciary could make or mar society as the hope of the common man.
He pleaded with the men of the Bench and Bar in Nigeria to work towards saving the common man in society for the country to continue to advance in all ramifications.
‘Without judiciary, Nigeria would have degenerated to nothingness. With politicians, everything is visible, but with judiciary drawing them back gradually by reminding them not to be too fast, Nigeria, will regain all its lost glories,’ Governor Soludo said.
While calling on the judiciary not to relent in its onerous tasks, the Governor noted that without the judiciary, society would have been without form.
‘I came to understand that Anambra State has the most hardworking judges in Nigeria today with the highest number of cases after Lagos State.
‘The numbers of cases they dispense every week and every month are among the highest in the world.
‘I am pleading with them to tighten their machineries in the ongoing corrosive War against Okite and Ezenwanyi Practice in the state to restore a lasting peace in all corners of Anambra State,’ Soludo said.
He maintained that the state judges were doing well and advised them to emulate Justice Ononiba in order not to go wrong when it came to quick dispensation of justice without fear.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and retired Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Anthony Ikechukwu Igu, described the event as a very significant one.
Justice Igu, who has been a best and longtime friend of the celebrant, wished him sound health and longevity.
Reading the brief resume of the celebrant entitled, ”Legacy of Integrity and Leadership”, a former Anambra State Commissioner for Land, Chief Peter Afuba, SAN, said that Justice Ononiba had remained a towering figure not only in the Anambra State Judiciary, but also in the entire Nigerian legal system.
Emphasizing that the celebrant was born to achieve extraordinary feats, Chief Afuba stated that his legal career was defined as excellent and fearless enforcer of justice.
Presenting the book, a former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Ilochi Okafor, described the celebrant as a legal colossus and man of many definitions, whom, he said, accommodated all, especially young lawyers, who came in contact with him.
Prof Okafor extolled Ononiba’s book and recommended it to Nigerian judges, lawyers and law students, as well as the entire general public, for them to be fully acquainted with the life and legal career of the celebrant and his few selected judgements while on the bench.
In their separate goodwill messages, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi of Igbo Leaders of Thought, an age-long family friend of the celebrant; Dr Greg Menakaya and Justice Chinwe Izoba (Retired), said the celebrant left indelible marks, not only in the Anambra State judiciary as a Chief Judge, but also in Nigeria through his well-known fearless work ethics as a man of impeccable and remarkable character, worthy of emulation.
Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, as well as 29 judges of the state, both serving and retired, over 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Anambra State extraction, and the Traditional Ruler of Nimo, Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi and his cabinet members, were all in attendance to celebrate with their own.
In a vote of thanks, the first daughter of the celebrant, Justice Irene Ndigwe, described her father as a beacon of hope to many around him, noting that he dedicated his life to upholding justice and ethical values.
The book was unveiled by Chief Emeka Etiaba, SAN, while the launch of the book by the friends and well-wishers of the Ononiba Family from far and near, including Governor Soludo; and cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant, alongside his children, among others, added glamour to the event.
Unveiling of the book by Chief Emeka Etiaba, SAN; its launch by the friends and well-wishers of the Ononiba family, including Governor Soludo; and cutting of the birthday cake by the celebrant alongside his children, among others, were some of the major highlights of the event.
