Day Lawyers, Litigants, Others Shut Down the Courts for Hon. Justice C.E Kalajine Anigbogu, And An Ex-Judge Alleges Corruption In The Nation’s Judiciary

                     Retired Hon. Justice C. E. Kalajine Anigbogu and Wife

odogwuemekaodogwu.blospot.com reports that for his meritorious service, and fearless spirit in the adjudication of law suits that came before him while in the bench as a judge in Anambra State High Court, a legion of lawyers of various ranks, litigants, bishops, high profile politicians, human rights activists, priests of various ranks, and indeed the creme de la creme from all works of life across the nation gathered in the premises of Anambra State Judiciary Headquarters, Awka to bid Retired Hon. Justice C. E. Kalajine Anigbogu good bye from the judicial service. The surging crowd rolled out their drums to celebrate an astute legal practitioner who they described as a “moving library of law.”

It was indeed a day with diamond lights as the people utilized the out-of-the-court opportunity to unleash their long packed eulogies on the man they hold in high esteem.

Justice Anigbogu had started as a 3^rd Class Clark in the Ministry of Justice of Eastern region of Nigeria in September 12, 1966, and rose through the ranks until his appointment as a judge in May 8, 2001 having served in various parts of the country; a position he held until his retirement recently.

Series of ceremonies marking his retirement from judicial service, included special thanks giving, valedictory court session, presentation of his book entitled: On The Bench: Judicial Imprints of Hon. Justice C. E. K. Anigbogu & Contributing Essays, among others.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi who was represented by Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu, the administrative judge, Idemili Judicial Division eulogized the outgoing judge describing him as a fearless advocate.

His words: “Anigbogu is a fountain of knowledge. He has the law at his finger tips; he also has administration at his finger tips. Of course he is an expert and authority on administrative matters. Several times, he has bailed us out on administrative issues, taught us what to do. And he does not hesitate to share his knowledge. 

Of course, he is a perfect gentleman; a very amiable judge, completely couragous and  fearless.”

In his speech at the valedictory court session in the premises of Anambra State High Court, Awka, the state Attorny General, Mr Anali Chude rained encomiums on the retired judge noting that “with his exit from the bench, the higher bench in Anambra State has lost one of her finest hands.”

The visibly elated senior lawyer while making his remarks thanked God for making his 47 years in the bench a fruitful one noting that “when I sit back and recall these past years with all the experiences: good, bad, ugly, pleasurable, wonderful, glorious, and sometimes embarrassing, I feel humbled and overwhelmed by the grace of God which has attended my way these past forty-seven years.”

Justice Anigbogu used the opportunity to pin-point some of the ills of the judicial system which he said militates smooth administration of justice. He observed that unwholesome practices have crept into the judiciary with some staff members engaging in such.

Hear him: “When we talk about the growing level of indiscipline, disorderliness, and low productivity in the judiciary, it must be noted that such situations exist where administrative imperfections, or deliberate punitive policies have subjected operatives to conditions of hardship and frustration borne out of cumulative provocation. This is the situation that exists in Anambra State.”

“They have been subjected, therefore, to severe hardship in that there meagre salary is exhausted within the first week of the month on transport to work. They are left with no option than to resort to begging or extorting money from lawyers or litigants in order to go work. They therefore get involved in unwholesome practices and are easily compromised by people who want to cut corners in the court.”

He noted that some state governors violate the provision of the law on staff payments which pave way for unwholesome practices to penetrate the system, stressing that “it is sad to note that in Anambra State and in some other states of the federation, the state governors have unilaterally and without any lawful authority amended the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (salaries and Allowances, etc) Act No. 6 of 2002 and the subsequent Amendment Act No. 1 of 2008 and gone ahead to pay to Judicial Officers at the rate up to 100% below what the National Assembly provided. 

This is a serious breach of Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office which the respective Governors subscribed to before assumption of office.”

The jurist also slammed the lawmakers at the national and state levels saying that “the legislature over the years, both at state and national level have never evaluated the laws made for the judicary to see how well the laws are performed and how well they have been implemented.”

Earlier in his sermon at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith, Awka,  Bishop of Awka Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezim revealed that “traps were set for him when he was the clark but he stood strong and upright. Throughout his service in the court, he was upright and straight-forward” even as he admonished the men of legal profession to “depend and look up to Jesus Christ who is the Perfect Judge. Everyone of you should learn humility, just like Jesus showed humility while on earth.”

Sunday Sun publication Written by ODOGWU OBINNA, Ekwulobia