The President of Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa has inaugurated the 17th Division of the Court of Appeal in Asaba, Delta state.
Justice Bulkachuwa at inaugurating Monday said the Appeal Court facilities met international standard and it would address the existing traffic and congestion in the courts of appeal as well as reduce the cost of accessing justice by litigants.
The Appeal Court President said as an appellant court at inception in 1976, it had only three judicial diision: Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu.
“In 1977, the number was increased to five with the establishment of Benin and Ibadan divisions. Subsequently, other divisions were added and the court had 16th Division as at Sunday (February 2). Today, we are here to commission the 17th Division of the Court of Appeal in Asaba, Delta state.
“The establishment of new division is an expect of judicial reforms agenda to enhance access to justice and speedy disposal of cases as well as efficient administration of justice.
“It is for this reason that the Court of Appeal is seeking to increase the number of its division to reduce difficulty associated with many distance travels, cost of transportation and delay due to congestions.”
She commended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and all who made it possible for the court to be established. She also prayed that the court would serve the citizen in fairness and equity without bias.
In his address, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the inauguration of the court complex remained a thing of great joy, satisfaction and of hope and fulfillment for the legal profession and the people of the state.
“The opening of this court today demonstrates our commitment to the rule of law and social justice.
“Before now, Delta was served by the Court of Appeal, Benin Division; with growing economic, political and social activities, the judges were overburdened.
“It might interest us to know that between 50 and 60 per cent of the recent election petition cases that went up to the Court of Appeal in Benin were from Delta state,” he said.
