Group calls for Okowa’s intervention on Warri Federal High Court

A group, Warri Advocacy Network (WAN) has called on the governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to intervene in the infrastructure of the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division in Warri Local Government Area of the state.

The group, through its Project Director and Secretary, Otuedon, Ajueyitse Martins and Dennis Mene, made the plea in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Warri on Monday.

The human rights group also called on Governor Okowa and other relevant authorities to recommend the judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Okon Effreti Abang for honour for being diligent in spite of the poor working condition in the court.

The group, which monitors and advocates for the socio-economic welfare of the people with a special focus on the state of courts in the Niger Delta, stated that Justice Abang has proved to be exceptionally dedicated in carrying out judicial duties, irrespective of the poor state of the court.

In the statement addressed to Governor Okowa, the group stated that Justice Abang works sacrificially from dawn till dusk every work day with candle lit, thereby deserving an award.

“We write to bring to the attention of Your Excellency, the exceptional dedication to duty and sacrifice by the underscored judge of the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division, who, relative to the very poor infrastructural state of the court and the humongous number of cases earns our commendation for the 2021/2022 recognition year.

“It is not in doubt that Warri is the only city in Nigeria with a Federal High Court outside any state capital and yet, the only one with a single judge assigned to tackle the litigation-thick city.

“We have watched keenly for some time now, as an advocacy group and can confirm that Abang Okon Effreti, works sacrificially most times, beyond 4:00 p.m and sometimes till 8:00 p.m with candle light due to poor power supply situation in the area.

“We have written to our parent body for a nomination of His Lordship for a special international award. We have also resolved to notify Your Excellency of this worthy sacrifice of a fellow Nigerian and humbly request that you visit the said court to verify our claim, as there is now a discernable difference in the progress of cases,” the advocacy group stated.

The group, in the letter copied to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, urged Governor Okowa to pay the court an unannounced visit with a view to addressing the parlous state of basic social amenities that have inhibited smooth adjudication of cases.

It specifically urged the governor to help in the provision of alternative power supply for the court, provision of designated parking lot for lawyers and litigants and provision of waiting room for lawyers and litigants, among others.