Bulkachuwa inaugurates appeal court in Asaba
President of the Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa on Monday inaugurated the 17th division of the court in Asaba.
Bukalchuwa at the ceremony said the branch would help address the existing traffic and congestion in the court as well as reduce the attending costs of accessing justice by litigants across the country.
She said the court located on Mariam Babangida Way in the Delta capital meets international standards, adding that the appellate court at inception in 1976 had only three judicial division in Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu.
“In 1977, the number was increased to five with the establishment of Benin and Ibadan divisions; subsequently other divisions were added and the court had 16th division as at yesterday.
“Today, we are here to commission the 17th division of the Court of Appeal in Asaba, Delta state. The establishment of the new division is an aspect of the judicial reform agenda to enhance access to justice and speedy disposal of cases as well as efficient administration of justice.
“It is for this reason that the court of appeal is seeking to increase the number of its divisions to reduce difficulty associated with many distance travels, cost of transportation and delay due to congestions,” the judge stated.
She lauded the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and all who made it possible for the court to be established, and prayed that it would serve the citizens in fairness and equity.
Gov. Okowa said that the inauguration of the court complex remains a thing of great joy, satisfaction, hope and fulfilment to the legal profession and the people of the state.
Read Also: Fayemi names first female head of service in Ekiti
“The opening of this court today demonstrates our commitment to the rule of law and social justice. Before now, Delta state was served by the Court of Appeal, Benin Division with growing economic, political and social activities, the judges were overburdened.
“It might interest us to know that between 50 and 60 per cent of the recent election petitions that went up to the court of appeal in Benin were from Delta state alone. The creation of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division is therefore, a welcome relief.
“It will decongest the court’s cause list and eliminate the attendant risks and costs associates with frequent trips to Benin and back to Delta state,” he said.
