By Amuche Agbo and Andy Nwogha
The Ebonyi state newly appointed Chief Judge, Justice Elvis Anagu Ngene has today sworned in with the charge of steady dispensation of justice alongside the immediate past state PDP Chairman, Barr. Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi as Commissioner for Capital City Development, after two days of his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Governor Umahi performed this function at the Christian Ecumenical Center, Abakaliki, the state capital.
He commended justice Elvis Ngene for his well deserved position which, he said is hand work of God and no one could claim it.
According to the Governor:”Every time we are talking about justice and judiciary in Ebonyi state, we will always want to thank Justice Aloy Nwankwo for being the longest serving Chief Judge in Nigeria, especially, the way he appointed his predecessor the most senior judge in the state.
“I must be very grateful to God, it is too difficult to find the government that has sworn in two judges or Chief Judge and presided retirement of the two at a full time.
” So my Chief Judge, Justice Aloy Nwankwo you have laid a good platform of justice in the judiciary.
“I commended the immediate past Chief Justice Anselem Nwaigwe who followed the foot step of his predecessor by appointing the most senior judge as the Chief Judge of the state”
The Governor noted that Justice Elvis Ngene is a good judge to behold, praying that he would finish well and stronger as his adminstration would not brings in any truncation into the system.
He admonished him to persistently liaise with his colleagues for smooth running of his activities assuring that the state government would continue to assist them to take the judiciary community to the enviable height and advocated for more training of the state magistrates to improve their capacities.
However, the Governor appreciated all the judges and magistrates for honoring the ceremony and described the new Commissioner,Barr. Nwebonyi as a man of impeccable character, trusted and committed personality who always stood by truth.
He added that an additional three special assistants would a be appointed to be working with him to put the capital city in a good outlook.
Earlier in his speech, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr. Cletus Ofoke congratulated the new Chief Judge, Justice Ngene and the Commissioner, Barr. Nwebonyi for their new position and lauded the state Governor Engr. David Umahi for his leadership ingenuity which has brought good governance in Ebonyi state.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chief Judge, Justice Ngene thanked God and Governor Umahi for finding him worthy to serve the state in that capacity.
He said: ” My swearing in today is remarkable and historical, this is the first time in the history of Ebonyi state that a chief judge was appointed and sworn in without serving in the acting capacity”
He appreciated the chief judge of Nigeria Alhaji Tanko Mohammed and National Judiciary Service Commission for recommending him.
He also thanked other brother judges from Ebonyi state for their solidarity.
The new Chief Judge pledged to make his input in ensuring the close relationship between three arms of the government for the overall development of the state and also entrenched a credible judiciary that would afford the much needed hope for a common man.
Also, in his speech, the newly appointed commissioner Barr. Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi reaffirmed his total support and commitment to Governor Umahi’s led adminstration and promised to contribute his quota to take the state to the desired next level.