Stakeholders in Anambra State have applauded the president of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, as well as the state government for the roles they played to have a Court of Appeal in Awka the state capital.

Recall that the state governor, Willie Obiano, had in December of last year set up a five-person committee headed by Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, to work out modalities for the creation of the appellate court.

The governor posited that with 70 percent of the cases at the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal originating from Anambra State, that the presence of the appellate court in the state will save indigenes the cost of having to travel to Enugu frequently in large numbers to obtain justice.

According to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Nwogu, the conditions given for the establishment of a Court of Appeal in the state have already been met.

He said the letter of approval was signed by the Court of Appeal president who gave five conditions before the court could start.

The Commissioner reeled out the conditions to include a court hall and accommodation for the five justices saying that the former Customary Court of Appeal building in Awka can serve as the administrative building, complete with chambers for five justices.

A Kaduna State-based lawyer from Anambra State, Daniel Ewelum, SAN, said that the presence of the court in the state will help reduce the time of obtaining justice and the huge fees paid legal practitioners for their services.

On his part, former chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Onitsha, Chudi Onyiuke, hailed the governor for the team he used to bring justice nearer home to Anambra people describing them as a winning team.

A leading Lagos-based practitioner, Mr Frank Ndibe, while reacting to the news said: “The Hon Justice Bulkachuwa is one jurist reputed for a powerful sense of justice and is committed to service delivery. We are by no means surprised that she did the right thing in rather record time.”

An Anambra-based lawyer, Amaka Ezeno, expressed gratitude to governor Obiano for going beyond the call of duty to achieve this wonderful goal for Anambra people.

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