By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
CHIEF Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, has inaugurated panels for the last quarter session of the quarterly appeal sessions of the state High Court of Justice.
Justice Majebi, who inaugurated the panels at the High Court Complex in Lokoja, said the they are to attend to appeals emanating from lower courts across the state.
The Panels would be sitting in the six Judicial Divisions across the state between December 1 and 5, this year.
Addressing the panelists Judges, Justice Majebi said, “We are having the appeal session at the High Court level to review cases handled by the lower courts because we insist that it must be held quarterly in each legal year.
“So I want you to put in your best because at the level of the bench, all the Judges designated at the six judicial divisions are already waiting to commence the session after this inauguration”, he said.
The Chief Judge underscored the sacrifices being made by Judicial officers in the state saying, “No matter how much you give a Judge today, you are still in arrears of what he is entitled to. You can never compensate a Judge” he said.
He encouraged lawyers appearing before the panels to put in their best as he cautioned that late filing of cases would not be tolerated as enough time had been given for the purpose.
Justice Majebi admonished the lawyers who have filed against unnecessary and frivolous applications to avoid causing delays in the determination of their cases.
“When you know you should have filed an appeal before today and you didn’t do so, none of my Judges will take that. So just be humble enough to do the needful”, he advised.
The Chief Judge however, commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lokoja Branch, for its successful Law Week and commended the committee emplaced to look into the new High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
Justice Majebi reiterated the need for synergy between the Bench and the Bar for effective Justice delivery process to thrive in the state.
The CJ admitted that there has been no issue recorded against any lawyer, even during previous appeal sessions as he urged all paries appearing before the panels to be professionally ethical.
Responding on behalf of the association, the Vice Chairman, M.S. Inuwa, Esq., thanked the CJ and the High Court for constituting the appellate sessions.
“My lord can confirm that the lower court Judges have improved because they know their decisions can now be reviewed. So we are very grateful for the impact it is making on Justice delivery in the state” he added.
A total of 129 cases from different divisions in the state would be determined by the six panels located across the state with Lokoja handling 54 cases; Ankpa, 36 and Idah, 16 while okene, Anyigba and Kabba Divisions with one panel each will handle considerable number of cases. (Ends)