Gov. Okowa Swears In Justice Patience Elumeze As Acting President Of Customary Court Of Appeal

Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, reaffirmed
that his administration would continue to strengthen the processes
and structures that would enhance standards in customary law
processes in the state.

Okowa gave the assurance while swearing-in Justice Patience
Elumeze as Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the
state in Asaba.

He said that his administration would also continue to promote
the growth and development of native laws and customs in the state,
adding that the government would leave no stone unturned to improve
the welfare and working conditions of the bench and staff in the
customary court system.

He affirmed that by virtue of Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution
(as amended) from which the Nigerian judiciary derived its powers
to administer justice, district, and area customary courts were
better suited to deliver justice at the grassroots without being
bogged down by the technicalities of the common law.

The governor disclosed that district and area customary courts
were well-positioned to deal with matters involving land disputes,
marriage, succession, inheritance, guardianship, and custody of
children in rural communities, pointing out that their role in the
justice system was strategic.

According to him, it is imperative that those charged with the
responsibility of running the customary court system are men and
women of good character and standing in the society and will ensure
that justice is not only served but it is also seen to be
served.

“By so doing, the courts will retain the confidence and goodwill
of the public from which it derives its ultimate authority,’’ he
said.

The governor, who congratulated Justice Elumeze on her
appointment, said that her selection was well-deserved as it was on
merit.

He described her as “cerebral, disciplined, hardworking,
dependable and properly placed’’ by her current position to
function as Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal in
the state.

“I expect you to continue in the same trajectory of hard work,
excellence, and ethical conduct that earned you this promotion.
This is not the time for you to rest on your oars but to double up
your efforts.

“Let me reiterate the point that this office will further
stretch your resourcefulness, challenge your intellect, task your
patience, encroach on your time, and test your value system. You
must maintain a high level of focus, diligence, and personal
probity,” he said.

“As one who was part of the success story of the past 21 years,
I am fully persuaded that Justice Elumeze is well primed to broaden
and deepen the wonderful legacies of her predecessor.

“It is important that the new leadership continues to promote,
preserve, and protect the principles of natural justice, fair
hearing, equity, and good conscience, which are the foundations
upon which the customary court system is founded,’’ he added

Okowa expressed the appreciation of the government and people of
the state to the immediate past President of the Customary Court of
Appeal in the state, Justice Stella Ogene, pointing out that Ogene
was one of the best brains the state had produced in the legal
profession.

“Strong, confident, and assertive, she worked assiduously to
restructure the judicial architecture of the customary court
system. From 29 area customary courts and 35 district customary
courts prior to her tenure, we now have 37 area customary courts
and 60 district customary courts in the state,’’ he stated.

In her speech, Justice Elumeze said that she was tremendously
humbled by her appointment, and thanked the governor for finding
her worthy of the appointment.

Elumeze also thanked the Chief Judge of the state, Justice
Marshall Umukoro, for the part he played in her appointment and for
his continued support to judges in the progress of the
judiciary.

She paid glowing tribute to her predecessor, Justice Ogene for
her inspiring role in the dispensation of justice in the state.

While equally thanking her fellow judges for their faith in her,
she promised to serve to the best of her ability by upholding the
rule of law and justice and promoting the customary law of the
people which governs them from birth to death.

Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, reaffirmed
that his administration would continue to strengthen the processes
and structures that would enhance standards in customary law
processes in the state.

Okowa gave the assurance while swearing-in Justice Patience
Elumeze as Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the
state in Asaba.

He said that his administration would also continue to promote
the growth and development of native laws and customs in the state,
adding that the government would leave no stone unturned to improve
the welfare and working conditions of the bench and staff in the
customary court system.

He affirmed that by virtue of Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution
(as amended) from which the Nigerian judiciary derived its powers
to administer justice, district, and area customary courts were
better suited to deliver justice at the grassroots without being
bogged down by the technicalities of the common law.

The governor disclosed that district and area customary courts
were well-positioned to deal with matters involving land disputes,
marriage, succession, inheritance, guardianship, and custody of
children in rural communities, pointing out that their role in the
justice system was strategic.

According to him, it is imperative that those charged with the
responsibility of running the customary court system are men and
women of good character and standing in the society and will ensure
that justice is not only served but it is also seen to be
served.

“By so doing, the courts will retain the confidence and goodwill
of the public from which it derives its ultimate authority,’’ he
said.

The governor, who congratulated Justice Elumeze on her
appointment, said that her selection was well-deserved as it was on
merit.

He described her as “cerebral, disciplined, hardworking,
dependable and properly placed’’ by her current position to
function as Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal in
the state.

“I expect you to continue in the same trajectory of hard work,
excellence, and ethical conduct that earned you this promotion.
This is not the time for you to rest on your oars but to double up
your efforts.

“Let me reiterate the point that this office will further
stretch your resourcefulness, challenge your intellect, task your
patience, encroach on your time, and test your value system. You
must maintain a high level of focus, diligence, and personal
probity,” he said.

“As one who was part of the success story of the past 21 years,
I am fully persuaded that Justice Elumeze is well primed to broaden
and deepen the wonderful legacies of her predecessor.

“It is important that the new leadership continues to promote,
preserve, and protect the principles of natural justice, fair
hearing, equity, and good conscience, which are the foundations
upon which the customary court system is founded,’’ he added

Okowa expressed the appreciation of the government and people of
the state to the immediate past President of the Customary Court of
Appeal in the state, Justice Stella Ogene, pointing out that Ogene
was one of the best brains the state had produced in the legal
profession.

“Strong, confident, and assertive, she worked assiduously to
restructure the judicial architecture of the customary court
system. From 29 area customary courts and 35 district customary
courts prior to her tenure, we now have 37 area customary courts
and 60 district customary courts in the state,’’ he stated.

In her speech, Justice Elumeze said that she was tremendously
humbled by her appointment, and thanked the governor for finding
her worthy of the appointment.

Elumeze also thanked the Chief Judge of the state, Justice
Marshall Umukoro, for the part he played in her appointment and for
his continued support to judges in the progress of the
judiciary.

She paid glowing tribute to her predecessor, Justice Ogene for
her inspiring role in the dispensation of justice in the state.

While equally thanking her fellow judges for their faith in her,
she promised to serve to the best of her ability by upholding the
rule of law and justice and promoting the customary law of the
people which governs them from birth to death.