DELTA STATE CHIEF JUDGE COMMISSIONS NEW MAGISTRATE COURT AT IGBODO.

The Delta state Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro, has commissioned a new magistrate court at Igbodo in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state.

 Speaking during the ocassion, Justice Umukoro urged the people of Igbodo not to imitate the “deviants in Ogwashi-Uku court". He maintained that with the establishment of the Igbodo Magistrate’s Court, the arraignment of criminal suspects will no longer be at the magistrate’s court at Umunede, adding that “the jurisdiction of the Igbodo Magistrate’s Court includes Igbodo, Ekwuoma, Ute Ugbeojei and Owerre Olubor communities.”

Enjoining the Police to provide security for the presiding magistrate during court sessions, he appealed to the pioneer members of staff of the court to exhibit the highest form of commendable conduct “devoid of cheating, extortion, bribery and corruption as anyone caught in such acts would be dealt with severely.” Emphasizing that the Igbodo Magistrate’s Court should be protected, Umukoro stressed the need for more partnership between government and the people of Igbodo  for greater development.

 Also speaking at the ceremony which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including traditional rulers, members of the Bench and Bar, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Mrakpor, commended the community for the donation of the court building, offices and magistrate’s residence. At the special court session to mark the formal opening of the Magistrate Court in Igbodo, Umukoro said “the magistrate court in Igbodo was the second to be commissioned this year in the state having declared open the Magistrate Court, Okpokunou in Burutu Local Government Area.

   In their remarks, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Chike Onyemenam, the Chairman, Agbor branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Barr. Austin Bienose and his Asaba Counterpart, Barr. Chukwuma Ebu, commended the efforts of the State Government in bringing the dispensation of Justice closer to the people and expressed hope that the neighboring communities would soon have their own magistrate courts, and appealed to the Igbodo Community to protect the court building and personnel from criminally minded people.
    The traditional ruler of Igbodo Kingdom, HRM Obi (Barr.) Ikenchukwu Osedume 1, the President-General of Igbodo Development Union, IDU, Deacon Matthew Okwaje and the Iyase of Igbodo Kingdom, Chief Ifeanyi Unomah, commended the State Government for establishing a Magistrate Court in Igbodo Community, saying that the people are happy to have a Magistrate Court as it would bring justice closer to the people. They noted that Igbodo being a peaceful community would ensure that the Court and personnel will be fully protected. They also commended Igbodo sons and daughters for their developmental strides in the community, promising to always support the policies and programmes of government that would add value to the people and the community. Emphasizing that the people would ensure that the Court was safe in the community in the dispensation of justice, maintaining that what happened in other areas where court building was burnt down, would not occur in Igbodo.