Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Monday swore in eight new judges in the state ans urged them to dispense judgment without fear or favour.
The swearing-in was done at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chamber of the Imo Government House, Owerri.
The governor also urged the new judges to rise above any external stimuli that might act upon them to do wrong things.
The new judges are Justice Fred Njemanze, Justice Banjamin Iheaka, Justice Marcellenus Nwagboso, Justice Sabinus Opara and Justice Chinonyere Egbunine.
Others are Justice Innocent Njiaka, Justice Paul Nnodim and Justice Ifeoma Ogwuegbu.
Okorocha reminded them of the adage “to whom much is given, much is expected”, saying that they should always have at the back of their minds that one day they would also stand for God’s judgment.
He said “if today you give judgments on others either for or against, also remember that one day you shall all stand before God for judgment.
“The fear of God on your part is the beginning of your success as judges. Respect God because without Him, the appointment will not have been possible.”
He further urged them to take advantage of the opportunity to do the best for the country, adding that “this is the time to make sacrifices. The courts in the state can now be decongested. The state government will continue to do its best for the judiciary in the state.”
Okorocha urged them not to look at the economic situation in the country in the dispensation of justice but ensure that their names were written as honourable justices who dispensed justice without fear or favour.
He enjoined the state’s Chief Judge, Mr Paschal Nnadi, to partner with authorities to decongest the prisons and to avoid any jailbreaks.
Justice Njemanze, on behalf of his colleagues, acknowledged that the task they were appointed to undertake was enormous.
He assured that with God on their side and with the cooperation of the government, they would live up to expectation.
He also assured that they would dispense justice at any given time without fear or favour.
