Give us more judges in Enugu – Gov. Ugwuanyi appeals to NJC

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday swore-in four newly-appointed judges of the State High Court with an appeal to NationalJudicial Council (NJC) to appoint more judges into the state judiciary to enhance service delivery in the sector.
The governor made the appeal considering that out of the requests of 20 judges made to the NJC, only four were approved and appointed into the state judiciary, a situation said to be a far cry from the dire need for more judges in the state.
Those sworn-in were Dr. Cyprian O. Aja, Dr. Comfort C. Ani, Mr. Harold Obiajunwa Eya and Mr. Kenneth Ikechukwu Okpe.
Governor Ugwuanyi on the occasion expressed appreciation for their appointments but pleaded to the NJC to consider the recommendation of more appointments to enable the state fill vacancies that still exist in the state judiciary.
In his words, “As much as we appreciate these new appointments, I willplead with the NJC to consider the recommendation of more appointmentto enable us fill the vacancies that still exist in the Enugu StateJudiciary.
”The governor congratulated the new judges on their deservedappointments urging them to approach their new responsibilities withdue dignity, integrity and commitment to justify their elevation tothe hallowed pedestal.”
He expressed happiness that the event coincided with the state drive to build more court rooms and renovate and equip existing ones as part of efforts to improve and reposition the state judiciary to render more efficient and qualitative service to the people.
The new judges who spoke through Justice Cyprian Ajah thanked the governor for finding them worthy and pleads to work very hard to justify the confidence reposed in them .
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by top government functionaries, Appeal Court Judge, Justice Raph Agbo, Chief Judge of Ebony State, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, scores of judges and other judicial officers and a teeming number of friends of the newly sworn in judges during the ceremony that took place in the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Enugu.