Governor Alex Otti of Abia flagged off the construction of model court halls in the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state on Thursday.

Speaking at the event in Umuene autonomous community, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Mr Otti described the construction of the model court halls as a fulfilment of “a major campaign promise”.

The governor expressed the commitment of his administration to build a society where everyone had access to justice regardless of their economic and social background.

“This project is in line with our vision of working closely with the judiciary arm of government to create robust channels for the speedy dispensation of justice,” he said.

Mr Otti said that under his watch, centres of justice administration in the state would have a functional appeal considering the importance of the judiciary as a major anchor of the state’s civilisation.

He also said that during his administration, the independence of the judiciary remained non-negotiable because the state government was guided by “the letters and spirit of the law”.

In her speech, the state’s chief judge, Lilian Abai, commended the present administration for its efforts to improve the administration of justice in Abia by constructing 17 prototype court halls in the 17 LGAs.

Ms Abai said the construction of the court halls would enhance productivity and ensure that lawyers and litigants could achieve justice in a safe and comfortable environment.

“I assure the governor that the judiciary would uphold the rule of law in working with other arms of government to make Abia a state we can be proud of,” she said.

In his address, the state Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwannna, said the proposed model court building has been designed to cater to the stakeholders’ needs and the justice system’s current realities.

In his remarks, the president of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Okey Nwamuo, described the project as a welcome development.

(NAN)