Governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, inaugurated the newly reconstructed Enugu State Judicial Service Commission on Wednesday, after swearing in members Barr. Ben Chukwuemeka Ezeugwu, Mr. Ifeanyi Emma Jonathan-Ogbu, and Mr. Emmanuel James Chiezue Ugwu.
Ugwuanyi launched the State Judicial Service Commission at the EXCO Chamber, Government House, Enugu, stating that the exercise was in accordance with the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as the Enugu State Judicial Service Commission Law Cap. 60, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004. (as amended),
“following the expiration of the tenure of the prevision Commission by effluxion of time”.
According to the governor, the Commission is chaired by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu, and members include the State Attorney-General, Chief Miletus Eze, and the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice George Chibueze Nnamani (ex-officio).
The remaining members, according to Governor Ugwuanyi, were nominated and then confirmed by the State House of Assembly.
He went on to say that the Commission’s mandate is “to advise the Governor in proposing candidates for appointment as Chief Judge of the State; President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the State; Judges of the State’s High Court; and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of the State.”
The Commission will have the authority to “recommend to the Governor the removal from office of the judicial officers named in sub-paragraphs (iii) and (iv) above, as well as the exercise of disciplinary control over such officers,” according to Gov. Ugwuanyi.
“And to appoint, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over the Chief Registrar and Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court, the Chief Registrar of the Customary Court of Appeal, Magistrates, Chairman and members of Customary Courts, and all other members of the staff of the judicial services of the state not otherwise specified in the Constitution, and all staff of the Judicial Service Commission”.
Describing the Commission as “both the soul and standard-bearer of the State Judicial system, the governor, who pointed out that his administration has made unprecedented investment in the infrastructure and human resource of the State Judiciary with a view to enhancing its performance, told the chairman and members that “you are eminently qualified for the job in hand”.
As a result, he complimented them and expressed the hope that they would seek to maintain, if not better, the previous Commission’s outstanding achievement.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in members, Barr. Ezeugwu, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for appointing them and promised that “we will do our best and place the judiciary in the position anticipated of it and provided for it in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
