Anambra JSC moves to scrap Customary Court of Appeal over redundancy

Anambra State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has disclosed plans to scrap the state’s Customary Court of Appeal and transfer its judges to the High Court Bench as judges of the court. Addressing newsmen in Awka on the outcome of the last meeting of the commission, the state’s executive secretary  JSC, Christian Nnabuihe, cited redundancy of […]

Anambra State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has disclosed plans to scrap the state’s Customary Court of Appeal and transfer its judges to the High Court Bench as judges of the court.
Addressing newsmen in Awka on the outcome of the last meeting of the commission, the state’s executive secretary  JSC, Christian Nnabuihe, cited redundancy of judges due to lack of cases as reason behind the planned action.
Nnabuihe argued that judges of the Customary Court of Appeal could not be idling away when cases in the High Court were overwhelming the existing judges, insisting that the judiciary in the state was the same.
 “This is to inform you of the resolution of the Anambra State Judicial Service Commission on the need to transfer Hon Judges of the state Customary Court of Appeal to the High Court Bench of the judiciary as judges.
 “Let me sum up by informing you that following the above resolutions, the  Chief Judge/Chairman JSC, Justice Peter Umeadi, has been mandated by the commission to forward the said resolutions to the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the Chief Judge of Nigeria /Chairman National Judicial Council, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, for necessary action,” he said.
A copy of the resolution of the commission made available to newsmen and signed by the state Chief Judge and Chairman of JSC, Justice Umeadi and Barr Anali Chude respectively and Attorney General of the State and three others stated that the transfer has the approval of the four judges of the Customary Court of Appeal.
The affected judges include Justice Samuel Nwachukwu Okoye, Justice Okwudili Aloysius  Ezeoke, Justice Jude Uchenna Obiora and Justice Cordelia Enu Chukwurah.
 “With the possibility that there will be no further work to be done at the Customary Court of Appeal, Anambra, thereafter, the present judges of the Customary Court of Appeal would be of assistance if they resume sitting at the High Court of Justice,” the resolution stated.
Meanwhile, the JSC has called on the state governor to see need to cause an executive bill to be presented before the Anambra State House of Assembly to authorize the closure of the Customary Court of Appeal, Anambra State, and thereafter prevail on the National Judicial Council to transfer the judges therein to remain and serve out their terms in the High Court.