Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia State, has sworn in Justice Lilian Abai as the state's acting chief judge and tasked her with upholding the state's friendly relationship between the executive and judicial branches.
Following Justice Onuoha Arisa Kalu Ogwe's retirement as acting chief judge, the new chief judge was sworn in.
Ikpeazu pledged that his administration will do everything possible to support the Acting Chief Judge in improving the judiciary after Lady Uzoamaka Ikonne, the State Solicitor General, administered the oaths of office and loyalty to the Acting Chief Judge at the Government House in Umuahia.
He commended the Judiciary for setting up and sustaining a template for succession which makes the leadership transition seamless.
The Governor commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Judicial arms of government in the State and saluted the immediate past Chief Judge of the State, Justice Onuoha Arisa Kalu Igwe, for working in synergy with the Executive.
Ikpeazu, who congratulated Justice Lilian Abai on her emergence as the new Acting Chief Judge expressed confidence that she would acquit herself creditably with the new office.
“The executive and judiciary arms of government maintain cordial relationship. It is desire and wish that the tenure of the Acting Chief will follow the same trajectory,” the Governor said.
In her acceptance speech, the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai thanked the Governor for the honour done her and promised to discharge her duties effectively while assuring that she would maintain the cordial relationship existing between the Executive and the Judiciary.