Another history is being made in Anambra state as a division of the Court of Appeal is being opened in Awka, the Anambra State capital today. The President of Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, who signed the letter of approval, last year, is leading crème de la crème of judicial officers to the event, near the Central Police Station, Awka.

Justice Bulkachuwa had given five conditions before the court could start, which The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Uju Nwogu, said Anambra had more than met. Former Customary Court of Appeal building in Awka is currently serving as the administrative building of the Court of Appeal, complete with chambers for five justices.

It is worthy of note that Governor Willie Obiano, in his bid to the lessen sufferings of Ndi Anambra, set up a five-person committee, headed Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, a celebrated Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to work for the creation of the appellate court. Mrs. Patricia Igwebuike, the Special Adviser to the State Government on Legal Matters, was appointed as secretary. Other committee members are Justice Anthony Iguh, formerly of the Supreme Court; Dr Uju Nwogu, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; and Mr. Emeka Etiaba, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Governor Willie must be commended for thinking it wise to bring the appellate court nearer to the people. In any case, the governor could not have assembled a better crack team to face that daunting task and achieved that pleasant result in such a short time. The opening of the Court of Appeal today in Awka is a manifestation that every member of the team is a champion. It is equally an indication that they are a winning team any day anywhere.

In fact, rational thinkers are of the view that the decision to establish a division of the appeal court in Awka came rather fast because of the calibre of people on the committee. Thus, there is no replacement for meritocracy, if Nigeria was to leapfrog in developmental terms. This is to say that meritocracy, which Governor Obiano has made a way of life in Anambra, is the way to go.

The Court of Appeal president, Zainab Bulkachuwa, is another personality that deserves a pat on the back. Honourable Justice Bulkachuwa is one jurist reputed for a powerful sense of justice and is committed to service delivery. Ndi Anambra are, by no means, surprised that she did the right thing in rather record time.

Above all, Ndi Anambra, especially lawyers in the State who have travelled on the messy Onitsha-Enugu Road on countless occasions to appear before the appellate court in Enugu, should express gratitude to Governor Obiano, the great achiever, for going beyond the call of duty to achieve this wonderful goal for his people. This singular act has marked Sir Willie out as a man of foresight and commitment.

For now, there are five divisions of Court of Appeal in Nigeria. They are at Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu and Ibadan with Abuja as its headquarters. So, opening a division of Court of Appeal in Awka is, no doubt, a step in the right direction. Research shows that over seventy percent of the cases at the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal originate from Anambra State.

The presence of the appellate court in Awka will therefore save Ndi Anambra the cost of travelling to Enugu frequently in large numbers to obtain justice. It will also reduce the time of obtaining justice and the huge fees paid legal practitioners for their services. The socio-economic benefits are also great.

The main function of an appellate court is to hear appeals from high court and the circuit court. The Nigerian Court of Appeal is beset with the challenge of establishing a judicial system suited for a democratic society. Maintenance of independence of the judiciary has been provided in the constitution of Nigeria. A democratic society needs an independent judiciary which can ensure the citizens to judicially avail their fundamental rights. Hence, extending the services of the Appeal Court to Awka will lessen the work before the jurists, which will invariably make them more efficient. Anambra is, indeed, the light of the nation.

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