
On Friday, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu explained why he swore in Hon. Justice Lilian Abai as the substantive Chief Judge of Abia. He praised her performance during her stint as acting Chief Judge, which he said witnessed tremendous positive changes and wished her well. The Governor challenged her to continue to dispense justice without fear or favor, ensuring that the Judiciary plays its role as the last hope of the common man. He congratulated her on her new appointment and expressed hope that her tenure would add greater value to the State judiciary.
In her acceptance speech, Justice Abai thanked the Governor for ensuring that the processes leading to her appointment were without rancor and pledged to work towards uplifting the judiciary by dispensing justice quickly. She also pledged to work in harmony with the state government for the good of the state. It is noteworthy that Justice Abai had been serving as the Acting Chief Judge for some months, and her confirmation as the substantive Chief Judge was one of the demands of Judiciary workers who have been on strike under JUSUN.