By Omos Oyinbode, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, affirmed the state government’s belief in the rule of law and accountability, hence the bill on financial autonomy of the judiciary was signed into law.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, during the Special court session to mark the retirement of the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Zai Smith, from the service of the state judiciary after attaining 65 years of age, challenged persons in positions of authority to emulate the positive attributes of Justice Smith that has enhanced the development of the state.
While pouring encomiums on Justice Smith, he pointed out that the retired Chief judge contributed to the widening of the channels of dispute resolutions, when he established a Multi-door court hall to take care of cases outside the normal court.
Also, the governor said Justice Smith used his opportunity as the State Chief Judge to advance the administration of criminal justice thereby helping to fight crime by speedy dispensation of justice in criminal matters.
According to him, there were times when kidnappers and armed robbers made life unbearable for the people but with speedy trial of criminal cases many of them were put behind bars while peace returned to the state.
In the same vein, the state governor also lauded the former chief judge for fighting for the financial autonomy for the judiciary which the state government had since signed into law.
In emphasising the position of the state government in the financial autonomy for the judiciary, the governor said the government believed so much in accountability, the rule of law and quick dispensation of justice hence the state government did not hesitate to sign into law the financial autonomy bill for the judiciary.
The governor who described the former chief judge as an incorruptible, humble, hard working, sincere and upright, prayed God to guide him in his future endeavour while urging those to take over to emulate these laudable virtues.
On his part, the state Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, said the tenure of justice Smith as chief judge, witnessed growth in the judiciary when he demonstrated that he is not only a cerebral Jurist but an administrator.
“I say with all sense of responsibility that during term of tjis administration the executive and legislative arms believed in the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, this brought respect to the judiciary and the fundamental right of the citizens”. He said.
T.J Okpoko, SAN and Barr. Gene Mowah, who spoke on behalf of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Bar Association respectively, said, Justice Smith has retained his respect through hard work and sincerity, adding that while in office contributed immensely to the growth of the judiciary.
While thanking him for been a shinning example to the incoming generation, they noted that the legal profession, Delta State and indeed Nigeria are proud of him.
Earlier, while welcoming guests to the occasion, the incoming chief judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro, described justice Smith as a hard working judge whom they have learnt a lot from.
According to him, Hon. Justice Smith is now part of Nigeria’s jurisprudence, legal history and chronicles of Delta State judiciary shall certainly have a place for him.
In his response, retired Justice Smith thanked all and said there is a purpose for every being and a season for all homo sapiens. It is time to depart and if we do not meet again the parting is being well made.
He used the opportunity to once again call for the full implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary by complying to the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
