Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday swore in Justice Catherine Ojugbana-Orishedere as the Acting President of the state Customary Court of Appeal.
In a speech at the event in Asaba, Okowa said that his administration had provided the state judiciary with the right tools, personnel and conducive environment for ease of administering justice.
He gave assurance that his outgoing administration would not cease to promote the growth and development of native laws and customs.
“As this administration winds down, we can take pride in our modest efforts to provide the judiciary with the right tools, personnel and environment conducive to administering justice without any let or hindrance.
“Overall, I believe we have fared well in improving the welfare and working conditions of the bench and the staff in the customary court system, within the limits of available resources,” he said.
Okowa affirmed that Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), from which the Nigerian Judiciary derives its powers to administer justice, empowered District and Area Customary Courts to adjudicate in land disputes, marriage, succession, inheritance, guardianship and custody of children in rural communities.
He said that those charged with the responsibility of administering justice under the customary court system “must be men and women of impeccable character”, free from selfishness, greed and covetousness.
He further said that the judges must also be driven by the principles of natural justice, fair hearing, equity, common sense and good conscience, being the bedrock of the customary court system.
Okowa poured encomium on Ojugbana-Orishedere, saying that she had demonstrated a high standard of professionalism and ethical conduct that would enable her to succeed in her new position.
According to the governor, her appointment was on merit and well-deserved.
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