The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike, has described the retired President of the Customary Court in the state, Mrs Victoria Nebo as `a genius of our time’.

Umezulike, who said this in Enugu on Monday during a valedictory court session in honour of Nebo, noted that she served the state judiciary with devotion and distinguished records.

Justice Nebo

“Mrs Nebo turned 65 years old yesterday, thereby, due for retirement with a noble and reputable pedigree. She became the president of the customary court in 2010 after serving the nation in many capacities.

“The retired president is a highly rated judge with a noble character, whose legal practice was unquestionable by any other legal practitioner. She is an epitome of peace and justice, a virtuous woman par excellence.

“As the first president of the state Customary Court following its creation, she was able to overcome the challenge of lifting the customary in the state to expectation,” he said.

He said that Nebo recorded lots of achievements that the history of the Customary Court in Enugu State would not be successfully written without her.

In his speech, Mr Osita Nnamani, the Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Enugu Branch, said that the retired judge was imbued with independence, impartiality and a good sense of ethical conduct as required from an incorruptible judge.

“A man with dagger can be stopped but a corrupt judge destroys the nation and is unstoppable. She never puts the reputation of the court to jeopardy.

“We the entire lawyers will miss the retired president and we wish her happy retirement,’’ he said.

In his remark, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Anthony Mmogbo, said that the legal practice of the judge was worthy of emulation and commended her for rendering selfless service to humanity.

“I know that some of your Judges will like to be honoured like Mrs Nebo, then, you are today challenged to live above board, shun all negative tendencies that will drag the image of the judiciary to the mud.

“To you my Lord, we wish you a fulfilling retirement, hoping that we will tap from your wealth of experience if the need arises,’’ he said.

Responding, the retiring judge thanked all who honoured the occasion and urged those still in active service to do all within their capabilities to reposition the judiciary to an enviable height.

The state Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Sen. Chuka Utazi and the former Attorney-General of the state, Mr Anthony Ani, among others attended the event.