Ebonyi swears-in chairmen, members of state customary courts

 The Ebonyi Government on Thursday in Abakaliki inaugurated 60 chairmen and 120 members appointed into the 60 Ebonyi customary courts spread across the state.The ceremony was presided over by the Chief Judge of Ebonyi, Justice Alloy Nwankwo.

The Chief Registrar, Customary Court of Appeal, Mr Job Orude administered the oath of allegiance and judicial oath on the appointees.

The chief judge, represented by Justice Ayigor Nwigwe, advised the appointees to discharge their duties honestly and to always abide by the code of conduct.

He urged the newly sworn-in chairmen and members of the customary courts not to allow their personal interests to influence their judicial decisions.

“We commend you for your well-deserved appointments and we urge you to demonstrate high level of moral uprightness in handling matters brought before you.

“Do not allow your personal interests to influence your judicial decisions and work towards strengthening the customary courts through your decisions and pronouncements.

“Desist from actions that will ridicule the judiciary or tarnish its image, ” Nwankwo said.

The President of the Ebonyi Customary Court of Appeal, Justice  O’Connel Ogbonna, in a key note address, reminded the appointees that they are not judges for men, but of God.

“I charge you all to always remember and bear in mind that you represent God who Himself is the God of Justice.

“As judges you should be incorruptible; bribery should be avoided at all cost because it is capable of denting your image and posterity as a judicial officer.

“Anyone caught accepting gifts or gratifications to influence the course of justice will not be spared by both God and the Authority of Judiciary.

“The job of adjudication is a divine privilege to mediate over the affairs of men, you should not abuse this divine privilege, ” Ogbonna said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chairmen of the customary courts are legal practitioners who are to serve for three years alongside the members.