The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia State, Ikechuckwu Uwanna has reacted to allegations made by the Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aba branch, Charles Onuchukwu.
Onuchukwu in interviews he granted to some media houses on Wednesday and Thursday, lamented that a law suit filed by some persons in 2021 has affected the appointment of new judges in Abia State.
He said the development has affected the speed of justice delivery and allegedly increased the number of Awaiting Trial inmates in correctional facilities in the state.
According to him, with the said case still pending, retiring judges cannot be replaced.
According to the Aba NBA chairman, another challenge confronting the Abia State judiciary is the problem of dilapidated courtrooms in many magistrate courts.
When contacted on Thursday to speak on the matter, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia, Ikechuckwu Uwanna said that some aggrieved persons filed a suit against the 2021/2022 appointment exercise.
“Yes, there are suits filed by some aggrieved persons against the 2021/2022 appointment exercise. They are on appeal and have stalled that exercise.
“We have embarked on a 2023/2024 exercise which the National Industrial Court has held that the state has a right to proceed with, and we are taking steps to ensure that the process is fair, credible and transparent.
“With this 2023/2024 process, any challenges occasioned due to the paucity of judges will soon be a thing of the past,” he said.
On the alleged increase in number of Awaiting Trial inmates, Uwanna said that though the correctional centres are in a better position to speak on the issue, Abia State Ministry of Justice has been reviewing case files to prevent overcrowding in prisons.
He noted that over 50 cases were discontinued in the second quarter of 2024 alone, for either not having sufficient evidence to continue their prosecution or for not being in the interest of justice.
Uwanna went on to say that the drafting of the Abia State Correctional Facilities Bill is at an advanced stage.