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ROCHAS SWEARS IN ACTING PRESIDENT FOR THE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL Posted: 10-Jan-2012 [07:53:06] by Online Unit

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The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has sworn in an acting President for the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State.

Performing the ceremony at the High Court Square, Owerri recently, Governor Rochas Okorocha charged the newly sworn in President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Pius Ifeanyichukwu Okpara and other members of the Nigerian Bar Association to aspire for excellence, adding that the old practices observed in the legal system have not moved the State forward.

The Governor enjoined the members of the Nigerian Bar Association to repackage the legal system in the State and charged the judges to take a second view on the law on kidnapping.

Apparently displeased with the level of kidnap cases in the State in recent time, the Governor suggested that lawyers should obtain endorsement from the Nigerian Bar Association before bailing any suspect involved in kidnapping and robbery cases.

He however commended the manner in which the judges have carried on the legal system in the State and promised that the State would take care of the retired judges and other statesmen who have spent their time in service to the State and Nation.

In a keynote address, the Ag. President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Pius I. Okpara noted that his appointment was done based on the order of seniority in the legal profession.

He thanked Governor Rochas Okorocha and the Chief Judge for sticking to the rules which he said has produced many justices including himself and pledged to uphold the honor bestowed on him to make Imo people proud.


Justice Okpara expressed optimism that the contractors handling the renovation of the Bar block would expedite action to ensure the timely completion of the building which he said would enable the judges speed-up hearing of appeals.

The occasion was used by the Imo State Governor to present a brand new Prado Land Cruiser Jeep to the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Benjamin Njemanze and a Hilux van to the Acting President, of the Customary court of Appeal, Justice Pius I. Okpara to enable them carry out their functions. Also given the Nigerian Bar Association include the sum of N5 million being a pledge redeemed by Governor Rochas Okorocha on behalf of his predecessor in office.