History was made in Nigeria’s Court of Appeal today as a new judicial division was added to its profile. In an elaborate ceremony, the President of the court, the Honourable Justice Zainab  Bulkachuwa  inaugurated the Asaba Division of the court. The President also presided over the inaugural sitting session of the Asaba Division.

Justice Bulkachuwa was full of praise for the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for putting so much into making the dream of having a division of the court a reality in Delta State. The building, Bulkachuwa noted, is state-of-the-art. She commended the elaborate space provided in the court room which she observed, could sit over a thousand people.

Governor Okowa was particularly happy that the inauguration of the new division in Asaba would save Deltans who have to go to the Court of  Appeal the burden of travelling all the way to Benin City.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Benchers, Justice George Uwechue  praised the governor for his support for the judiciary both in Delta State and at the national level. He also eulogised Justice Bulkachuwa for the sterling service he has rendered to the nation through the judiciary. Indeed, he also used his speech as a valediction to the President of the Court of Appeal who will retire next month at the attainment of the statutory retirement age of 70.

Speaking on behalf of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, an octogenarian, Mr Kolawole Okeya Ineh who is from Edo State noted that the creation of the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal will greatly reduce the volume of cases in the Benin Division. He said it would greatly ease the filing of processes and that justice delivery will benefit immensely.

Ineh went on to donate some books to the library of the Court of Appeal, Asaba.

The Court of Appeal Asaba Division has come 28 years after Delta State was created out of the old Bendel State. By this creation, Delta State has joined Adamawa, Edo and Enugu as states which were created at that same time which have divisions of the Court of Appeal.