By James Nwakpa
The immediate past Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, His Lordship, Justice Anselem Nwigwe has been widely celebrated by the people of Ebonyi State and beyond for his numerous achievements in the judiciary.
The retired Chief Judge who bowed out of the judicial service yesterday was full of praises and thanksgiving as his family members, friends, colleagues and well wishers accompanied him to St. Luke's Chaplaincy Abakaliki, to express their gratitude to God for his fruitful and successful retirement.
In their remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Abakaliki branch, Barr. Ogbonnaya Okoye, a Judge in Ebonyi State High Court, Justice Vincent Nwancho and the president Ebonyi State Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs. Augustina O. Colonel described Chief Justice Anselem Nwigwe as a man of peace, a focused and determined legal luminary and above all, an incorruptible Judge who was never found wanting in the course of delivering Justice to the people.
The trio extolled the exemplary lifestyle of the retired Chief Judge, whom they said has impacted positively to the growth of the judiciary in Nigeria and the peaceful existence of Ebonyi State in particular.
Similarly, the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ebonyi State, Hon. Elizabeth Ogbaga, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umahi on environment, Prince Sunday Ugwuocha, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. William Alo commended the retiree for his selfless service to humanity and prayed God to give him long life in good health so as to reap the fruit of his labour.
In an interview with some of the immediate family members of the ex Chief Judge including the wife, Mrs. Teresa Nwigwe and the children; Chief Magistrate Blessing Ibeabuchi Chukwu and Engr. Onyedikachi Nwigwe referred to the celebrant as a man of integrity with exceptional passion for peace, justice, equity and fairness, and wished him well in his future engagements.
The legal veteran who retired at the age of 65 years said though he has retired out of service but not yet tired as he was still bouncing with extraordinary vigour.
He warned against any compromise by the judiciary, stressing that both the judiciary and the society would be destroyed no sooner than the judiciary fails to play its pivotal role as the last hope of the common man, and advised those at the position of dispensing justice to the people to always work with the fear of God and in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria with fear or favour.
He recounted some of his achievements and challenges in the judicial service and attributed his success stories to Almighty God while thanking those who came to celebrate with him and his family even as he prayed for celebration never to depart in their own families.
Recall that the thanksgiving day collided with the day of Palm Sunday when the Catholic faithfuls and other Christian community usually observe the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem before his crucifixion.
The event was used by the likes of a retired security expert, Mr. Romanus Mbam, to advise Ebonyians and Nigerians at large never to lose hope because of the current situation of things in the country, but should look unto the Lord as the only solution to their problems.
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