THE swearing-in of Justice Lilian Abai as Chief Judge, in accordance with one of the requests of the judicial staff in Abia State, suggests that the ongoing strike action may be called off shortly.
The ceremony, which took place today at the Government House Banquet Hall in Umuahia, drew a large crowd, including prominent members of the judiciary and traditional chieftains.
The oaths of office and allegiance were given to the new Chief Judge by Ugochimdi Ejiogu, who is also the State’s Solicitor General and the alternate permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice.
Also Justice Abai, who had been serving as Abia’s interim Chief Judge for a few months, received his official oath of office.
The Chief Judge received congratulations from Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on her new position and for having the perseverance to reach the pinnacle of her legal profession. He also expressed his expectations that her term would be fruitful and increase the value of the state judiciary.
The governor added that during her time as the acting chief judge, she brought about a lot of beneficial changes and that it was a sign of even bigger things to come.
The governor tasked her with making sure that the court continues to serve as the last bastion of hope for the average person by administering justice impartially.
