One of the critical foundational principle laid in Kogi State Judiciary which has and will continue to enjoy sustainance is taking justice, as much as possible, to the doorsteps of citizens. The Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Richard Olorunju Olorunfemi, made this disclosure at the commissioning ceremony of an Area Court Grade One at Owara-Oworo, one of the remote communities of Kogi State last Friday.
The CJ and his entourage, which consisted of High Court Judges, Management and staff of the High Court of Justice, were received by an elated community witnessing such function for the first time. The court is the first form of
goverment’s presence in the ancient community.
The traditional head of the community, Alhaji Seidu Adoga Aliyu, the Obaro of Omuwa/Dagaci of Owara, had said in his welcome address, that citing the court in his domain did not only signify recognition by government, but that the mare knowledge of an institution of a court in his community would boost the community”s economic potential by generating employment, improving businesses as well as enthronement of social and Civic order.
Referring to the comment thereafter, the CJ quoted the Obaro who acknowledged the “fact that this event is the pioneer official commissioning of any government institution in Owara Community and it’s environ.”
Continuing in the same vein, he added that it was the operational direction of the state judiciary to take justice to the citizens.
“I will tell you that the foundation laid by our pioneer CJ, Hon. Justice Umaru Eri, is to ensure that we take Justice to the doorsteps of Kogi citizens and that is what this court represents.indeed, the presence of this court is to ensure that justice is administered to the people as close as possible. So we are glad that His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, is ready to support the Judiciary and we’re in the process of that. I therefore enjoin you to take ownership of the court in terms of security of the court and it’s personnel. Obviously, the community will enjoy from the opportunity of staffing the court and that I assure you.”
His Royal Highness had also appreciated the Judiciary for “bringing to reality easy and close access to justice to inhabitants of Owara and numerous surrounding villages, few among which are Omuwa, Aleke, Agbodo, Ocha-Chara, Otada, Ibgonla-Odo, Ochohon, Adamogu, Otuga, Ofoba etc.”
He said it was monumental considering the community’s difficult terrain and accessibility challenges.
Thanking the Judiciary on behalf of the community, an Abuja based legal practitioner from the area, Barr. Aliyu Muhammed, ssid the community would be eternally grateful to the state Judiciary for the gesture just as he also emphasized the socio-economic and political advantages of having an institution of law and order in Owara-Oworo and for it’s environs.
After commissioning the court, the Hon. CJ departed the community with his motorcade amidst fanfare and jubilation as the community’s traditional musicians and dancers carnivallised the event.
*Saqeeb Saeed*
_CIO, HoJ, Lokoja_