Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has made known his intention to immortalise former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

The legendary jurist, who died on May 4 in Abuja, hailed from Oguta, Imo State.

Okorocha, during a visit to the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Benjamin Njemanze, in his office in owerri, called on the judiciary to partner with the state government to ensure a most befitting burial ceremony for late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

He condoled the state judiciary over the loss of the legal icon. The governor said Justice Oputa is a household name in Nigeria and expressed the determination of his administration to give him a befitting burial.

Owelle Okorocha urged the Chief Judge to set up a committee for the burial.

He expressed the willingness of his administration to improve the judicial service system in the state and announced that the new judiciary complex being constructed would be completed by September 2014. He proposed to name the complex after the late Justice Oputa as a way to immortalise him.

The governor used the opportunity to enumerate some of the major projects embarked upon by his administration such as massive road construction, 305 model primary schools, 27 new general hospital, free and qualitative education, renovation of Adapalm, shoe industry and poultry farm at Avutu. He also mentioned the payment of teachers and other workers’ salaries as at when due.

Responding, the Chief Judge, Justice Njemanze, thanked the governor for the visit and stressed the need for him to look into the challenges facing the judicial system in the state.

Justice Njemanze, who decried dilapidated condition of the court in the state, called on Governor Okorocha to equip the court with state-of-art equipment. He also called for the computerisation of the complex and provision of electricity to enable the judiciary to function effectively.

He reminded the governor the role the judiciary plays in the dispensation of justice.

•Photo shows late Justice Oputa.

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