Awka The Chief Judge of Anambra, Justice Peter Umeadi, on Monday expressed delight with the state government for granting the judiciary financial autonomy.
Presenting vehicles to the 20 newly-appointed magistrates, a deputy chief registrar and a retired director of accounts from the justice ministry in Awka, Umeadi said the air of freedom came from Gov. Willie Obiano’s foresight in improving the administration of justice in the state.
He noted that the gesture was the first assignment the judiciary had performed as an independent arm of the government.
“We are here for the distribution of 22 brand new vehicles to the newly appointed deputy chief registrar, our retired chief accountant and the 20 magistrates newly appointed.
“We were able to make these purchases on our own without consulting the executive arm, which for me is legendary.
“We hope that these cars will assist them in their work, and we also hope that they will make good use of them and would no longer give excuses for lateness to work,’’ Umeadi said.
Also, the chairman of the state branch of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mrs Vivian Udedike, commended the chief judge for acquiring the vehicles for the magistrates.
She described the gesture as an “eloquent testimony” that the chief judge was deserving of the recent award bestowed on him by the union as the father of magistrates.
Udedike also thanked the governor for granting financial autonomy to the state judiciary, adding that the development would boost productivity.
It will be recall that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) embarked on strikes in the various states to demand for the financial autonomy of the judiciary.
