The Chief Judge of Abia, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, has advocated for financial autonomy of the state’s judiciary.
Uzokwe made the call during an event organised by the state judiciary to mark the beginning of the 2017/2018 legal year in Umuahia.
She noted that the importance of financial autonomy of the judiciary could not be over-emphasised because of the impact it would have on its performance.
“The dilapidated court halls in the state would have been fixed if the state judiciary had financial autonomy or if funds allocated to it for capital expenditure in the fiscal year were released constantly and timely.”
She appealed to the state government to expedite action in addressing the numerous challenges facing the judiciary.
Responding, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia promised to ensure the renovation of court rooms was given priority.
Ikpeazu pledged to support the programmes of the state judiciary and expressed optimism that the new legal year would be more productive than the outgone legal year.
In his speech, Chief Ugwuzor Agomuo, the Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Isiala Ngwa branch, described the 2016/2017 legal year as a disaster in terms of infrastructure and finance.
Agunmuo added that the situation posed a serious threat to the independence of the judiciary.
He appealed to the state government to hasten the completion of court buildings across the state in the new legal year.