Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, credits “the unshakable backing of the judiciary and the legislature arms” for his administration’s successes.
The governor commended the two arms for their unwavering support during his administration’s eight years in office, emphasising that his success was largely due to the harmonious and amicable relationship he had with them.
He said this in a message of congratulations to Hon. Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze, the state’s chief customary court of appeals judge, on her retirement from the bench.
After 65 years of honourable service, Judge Elumeze retired from the bench on Monday.
Okowa described the retiring judge as a disciplined and hardworking jurist, adding that the state was proud of her.
He said, “His Lordship that is retiring today you have really done a great lot of work with us in government and I am glad you have
served your best in the course of duty, and I thank God that you have also been recognised with the papal honour.
“It is my hope that as you retire, even listened to the Reverend Father in the Church today, who spoke about your charity and now that you have received the honour, it is now for you to truly work more for humanity and also work more for the church of Christ.”
On the issue of autonomy, Okowa maintained that Delta State was among the first to approve full autonomy to the legislature and judiciary, noting that the judiciary was expected to approve its contracts without recourse to the executive.
He, however, expressed concerns over the non completion of the new High Court complex in December, 2022 as expected, explaining that the reason was neither that of the Chief Judge nor his office.
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“I have done my best. I don’t think we owe. But unfortunately we are not able to push the contractors beyond their limits. We have even had at a point in time, as the Chief Judge knows, we had to do something ordinarily we ought not to do by further advancing funds in course of the project just to get the contract done; it is not normally done in the process of contract award and execution, but we had to do that to speed up the job,” he said.
While reassuring of his commitment to complete the project, Okowa attributed the delay to “inflationary tendencies in the country that caught up with the contractor that necessitated review along the line.”
The state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Tessy Diai, described the retiring Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze as an amazing, disciplined and hardworking judicial officer who discharged her duties with the fear of God.
Justice Diai who presided over the special valedictory court session in honour of Justice Elumeze said, “I thank God that Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze is bowing out of service today not only hale and hearty, but with her integrity unblemished.”
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