Chime wants judges to live above board
June 4, 2008
Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has called on judges of the High Court of Justice in the State to always strive to leave above board in the discharge of their duties.

Governor Chime, who made the call in a message at the opening of a three-day retreat on integrity and capacity building for judges of the High Court of Justice in the State, advised that in all they do, the interest of justice should be paramount.

The governor noted that these are very necessary to restore and sustain the faith and hope of the common man in the judiciary.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, stressed the need for the speedy dispensation of justice by judges since justice delayed is justice denied.

The state chief executive also advised the judges to eschew malice which is capable of destroying the judiciary, but to cultivate the spirit of love and oneness with one another, adding that the way judges relate with themselves goes further to show how they would relate with the other two tiers of government and the general public.

The governor thanked the judiciary for their support, cooperation and solidarity with the executive in the past one year and assured them that his administration would give adequate consideration to their problems.

He expressed the hope that they would come out from the retreat more refreshed and equipped to face their judicial duties with more zeal especially in the dispensation of justice to all manner of people without fear or favour.

Earlier in his address of welcome the Chief Judge of Enugu State,  Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike condemned what he described as rumour mongering among judges in the State judiciary describing such as unbecoming of officers of the temple of justice.

According to Justice Umezulike, “rumour peddling should never be named amongst Judges of the Realm.  I do not have any respect for those judges who come to my office to denigrate other brother judges.”
The State Chief Judge maintained that a judge that worth his salt is supposed to be reticent, always busy and warned that those involved in such act must be re-examined for fitness and character test.

He therefore advised that instead of moving from one office to another spreading calumny, judges can approach the National Judicial Council with their concerns for prompt attention. 

On the relationship between the executive and the judiciary in the State, the Justice Umezulike described it as very cordial, smooth and very complementary and said, “we are lucky to have a governor who is a member of our legal profession. He has given an indication that the judiciary is a crucial constituent that he desires to serve, fortify and enhance.”

He also spoke on the issue of assignment and withdrawal of cases, judges on State or national assignment, and transfer of judges, and appealed to the governor to implement section 121(3) of the constitution to enable the judiciary attend to its needs and projects. 

The State Chief Judge described the retreat as a welcome development and expressed the hope that at the end of the day judges would leave the venue better informed and oriented towards the discharge of their critical functions to the society than before.

The retreat was attended by both serving and retired judges of the High Court of Justice in Enugu State.