Justice Umeadi delivers paper as Unn celebrates founders day in a grand style

UNN at 56: Justice Umeadi delivers Dignity of Man lecture

By Alphonsus N. Ogili

The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Peter  Umeadi on 7^th October, 2016, delivered a well-ordered, precise and articulate paper on the topic: “The Rule of Law as the Foundation of any Nation” as  part of the activities that marked the 56^th Founders’ Day celebration of the pretigious University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

Delivering the 8^th Dignity of Man lecture under the auspices of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, University of Nigeria (UNAA) at Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN, Justice Umeadi strongly noted that the doctrine of the rule of law is ubiquitous.

According to the Chief Judge, the doctrine of the rule of law touches all spheres of human existence.

He said, “The rule of law as a doctrine includes the making of the law itself; this brings the legislature into the career stage. The legislature should always think of what serves the need of the people in greater number. The rule of law implies that every citizen is subject to the law.”

He commended the efforts of the Nigerian judiciary, saying, “The judiciary in Nigeria have exhibited exceeding understanding of the jurisprudence of the rule of law,” adding, “In the beginning, all our legal practitioners were trained in the Commonwealth especially Great Britain.”

He continued; “It is in this light that we should appreciate the judiciary in Nigeria; our judiciary has exhibited patriotism, erudition, lucidity, candor, and courage in their work. Our judiciary has kept in full view the expectations of prosperity, safety, well being, the respectability and dignity of our citizens.”

Justice Umeadi further extolled the Nigerian judiciary, saying it is populated with jurists of caliber, pedigree, honesty, forthrightness, courage and other sterling qualities. He maintained that courts in Nigeria are willing and able to defend and apply the principle of the rule of law, portraying the rule of law as a cornerstone of democratic societies.

He cited some cases in which the Nigerian judiciary has demonstrated candid steadfastness like that of suit No. SC/58/69 (1) E.O. Laknmi (2) Kikelomo Ola (by her guardian and next friend Lakanmi) versus (1) The Attorney General (West) (2) The Secretary to Tribunal (3) The Counsel to the Tribunal; which was handled in the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1969.

“In unraveling the matrix of the facts, the Supreme Court of Nigeria exhibited uncommon commitment to work and dexterity when it elected, on its own, to delve into issues which arose in the matter but which the courts below did not deal with,” he said.

Before the commencement of the lecture which saw Hon. Justice Eugene Ubaezuonu - Rtd. Justice of the Court of Appeal and Chancellor, Nnewi Anglican Diocese, as chairman of occsassion, a brief address was presented by the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba. In the address, Prof. Ozumba commended the alumni of the institution, adding; “The alumni are the backbone of every renowned university in the world. I am therefore counting on your support to take the University of Nigeria to the glorious height envisioned by the founding fathers.”