By Patrick Ochei
The cerebral Royal Father of Issele-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka has been sworn-in as Justice of the Peace (JP), by the Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Theresa Diai.
In a well attended court session at the State High Court, Onicha-Ugbo, Hon. Justice E.G. Timi (Mrs), administered oath of office on the Issele-Uku Monarch, alongside two others on behalf of the CJ.
In reading the CJ’s address, Hon. Justice Timi congratulated the newly sworn-in Justices of the Peace, particularly Obi Nduka, reminding them that their appointments were well merited.
She said the authorities concerned carefully went through their records and, after due consultations, considered them suitable for recommendation to be appointed as Justices of the Peace.
Hon. Justice Timi affirmed that under Section 12 (1) of the Magistrate Court Law which states that “The Governor may appoint any person to be a Justice of the Peace in and for the State, and for such part of the State as he may specify, and may remove any person so appointed from the office of Justice of the Peace”.
On the strength of the above, Justice Timi submitted that the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, graciously approved the recommendation and appointed them as Justices of the Peace, thereby feigning the hope that the appointees would live up to expectation and not betray the confidence which the Government and people of Delta State had by the appointment reposed on them.
According to her, “The necessity for the appointment of Justice of the Peace in the State was informed by the yearning and need to bring justice closer to the people and minimise crime in our society. To this extent, Government expects nothing but the best from you. You will not only be transparent in your actions and decisions, but you must be seen to be so”.
She further enlightened the new JPs about their powers and functions, which include: To preserve the peace, To suppress riots and affrays, To dispense all forms of disorderliness, To direct post mortem examinations under Section 12 of the Coroners Law, Issue summons and warrants for the purpose of compelling the attendance of accused person or persons as witness before a court, Issue search warrants, Take solemn affirmations and statutory declaration, and, Any other functions that may be assigned to them by the Governor of the State from time to time.
At the end of the swearing-in exercise, the Traditional Ruler of Issele-Uku Kingdom, Obi Nduka addressed the press, where he appreciated the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for finding him worthy for the office of Justice of the Peace.
He pledged to use the office in addition to his roles as a Traditional Ruler, to continue to advance the course of peace and justice in his domain and even beyond.
Furthermore, Obi Nduka promised to use the platform to continue to engage all segments of his immediate community to embrace peace and unity, maintaining that he would be fair, firm and just in carrying out the functions of his office as JP.
As the President General of Issele-Uku Development Union (IDU), Mr. Ofordile Ugeh congratulated His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP, on his well deserved appointment and swearing-in into the office of Justice of the Peace.
He said that the people of Issele-Uku are proud of their king and would do everything humanly possible to support him to succeed in all his community development agenda.
In the spirit of solidarity, the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo Kingdom, HRM Obi Victor Chukwumalieze was in court to identify with his brother and counterpart on his swearing-in as JP.
Meanwhile, Diokpa Okonkwo Isimchei (Ogbelani of Issele-Uku), led the elders while Chief Victor Isiekwanamgbu (Ozah of Issele-Uku), led the chiefs to be with their king on the auspicious occasion of his inauguration as JP.
Other personalities who accompanied Obi Nduka to the Justice of the Peace swearing-in ceremony, include; Chief Sunday Ebite (Agujiegbe of Issele-Uku), Chief Sunday Monye (Osodi of Issele-Uku), Chief Ignatius Memeh (Oloton of Issele-Uku), Chief Brian Odiakosa (Osigie of Issele-Uku), Chief Fidelis Jigide (Esogba of Issele-Uku), Chief Victor Egbune (Inwengwe of Issele-Uku), Chief Barr. Mrs. Josephine Ada Kachikwu (Ezinne of Issele-Uku), Diokpa Abolo (Okpalabisi of Ogbe-Owele Village), Mr. Ofordile Ugeh (PG of Issele-Uku Development Union), Priest Pius Osiegbu (JP) and others too numerous to mention.
In a nutshell, the celebration continued at the Issele-Uku Royal Palace where Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP, treated the people with him to sumptuous meal with enough to drink.
