Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that his interest in building Court Complexes in all the Local Government Areas of the State is both to bring justice close to the people and to make it affordable.
The Governor made the comment on Thursday while commissioning the Oru East High Court, Magistrate Court and Customary Court Complex located at Oru East Local Government Headquarters in Omuma.
He said the search for justice in distant places makes it “expensive, cumbersome, as well as provides excuses to lawyers asking for undue adjournments thereby lingering cases unnecessarily.”
According to him, the whole idea of the Oru East Court Complex in Omuma was to “make things easy for lawyers, judges and for the people to obtain justice quick and affordable.”
He therefore called on the people of Omuma to join hands in securing the facilities in the three courts and to deter vandals from entering into the place to destroy or remove the facilities therein.
Governor Uzodimma reiterated that his administration is doing its best to opt the game and improve on the lives of the citizens of the State in all sectors, promising to leave Imo computerized at the end of his administration.
He assured all involved in justice delivery in Imo State of government’s cooperation and willingness to do all that is possible to make their job easy.
The Governor emphasised on his determination to ensure what obtains in other climes is the same in Imo State.
In her remarks, the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka expressed the gladness of the judiciary for the Court Complex.
She noted that “having all the three courts in one complex will make the work of the lawyers easy, as it will reduce unnecessary excuses and adjournments.”
Justice Chikeka described the Complex as “beautiful” and assured that “the provision will really bring justice nearer to the grassroot.”
Introducing the project to the Governor and his entourage, the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. COC Akaolisa said that “the Court Complex is a manifestation of the Governor’s commitment and promise to bring justice nearer to the people,” describing the Oru East Court Complex as a “testimony.”
Akaolisa said that “Oru East people are happy and those in the justice system in Imo State are also happy.”
In his welcome address, the Sole Administrator of Oru East Local Government Council, Nze Celestine Nnamdi Onyeaka expressed the joy of the entire Oru East people over the Court Complex and said “Oru Nation is proud of their son, the Governor.”
He added: “The Governor has turned Oru East as an upcoming urban city by bringing the Imo Polytechnic to them, commissioning of an ultra modern General Hospital, the Court Complex and the International Market that is ongoing.
“Other projects of the State Government to Oru East under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma include; construction and dualization of Mgbidi-Omuma-Akata-Okporo road which is ongoing, rebuilding of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Omuma, the Oru East Council Chapel and reconstruction of failed perimeter fence of the Local Government Council, among others.”
Onyeaka welcomed the Governor home and expressed his people’s unalloyed support as the November 11 governorship election beckons.