Rule of Law Has not Failed, Governors Only Play Game of Convenience: Prof. Umeadi
…Joins calls for independence of the judiciary
…Says he goes back to work after retirement to keep the pace
By Chinazom Hyginus of De Erudite Communications
Anambra, August 28, 2021.
Former Chief Judge of Anambra state Professor Peter Umeadi has described the resistance of governors to supporting the independence of the judiciary as a ‘game of convenience’.
The President emeritus of the World Association of Judges under the auspices of the World Jurists Association (WJA) and currently a visiting Professor of Law at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, Prof. Umeadi said he does not believe that the independence of the judiciary has failed, and described Rule of Law as Foundation of any Nation.
This was contained in an interview session conducted by an online media platform known as the Nigerialawyers where Prof Justice Umeadi disclosed how his tremendous roles as a Chief judge imparted positively in building a formidable judicial system in Anambra state and Nigeria at large.
“I see that the Governors are playing a game of convenience. Only a few States are able to sustain themselves. Many states are owing a backlog of salaries. I copied the quote below from a platform I belong to “Government can’t be about paying salaries or pension”.
It will be recalled from the publications of De Erudite Communications that Prof Umeadi recently declared his intention to contest election in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
While responding to whether he fulfilled his career in law, he opined that he is the youngest person to be made a judge in Anambra state, and described his records as evident to his distinguished roles that greatly help in reshaping the system to date.
“As a Chief Judge, my greatest challenge was how to maintain the independence of the Judiciary”.
“Yes, I had a fulfilled career at the Bench. I was told by a former Chief Registrar in the old Anambra State who later became a Judge of High Court of Anambra State that I was the youngest person to be made a Judge in the Eastern Region at the time. It became evident, as soon after my appointment the scramble for the younger lawyers to get on the Bench started. With all modesty my litigation and solicitors works at the Bar prepared me for my work on the Bench”.
He therefore, called for constitutional concept of separation of powers to be urgently injected into the JUSUN in order to enable practical adjudication of justice devoid of fear or favour.
Prof. Umeadi who said he is currently a visiting Professor of Law at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus emphasized the need to keep one’s brain working in other to keep the pace of one’s career even after retirement.
De Erudite Media