Foundation to honour Umezulike, ex-Enugu chief judge

The Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation says it will hold a one-year memorial lecture in honour of the ex-chief judge of Enugu state.

The event is billed to hold at Justice I.A Umezulike Auditorium, Enugu state high court complex on Friday, September 27.

In a statement on Friday, Victor Azubike, a trustee of the foundation, said the event would be chaired by Peter Obi, a former governor Anambra state.

Azubike said Emeka Chianu, head of department of private and property law, University of Benin, he guest lecturer would discuss “the overriding Role of the Judiciary in Contemporary Democracy.”

“Rosaline Patricia Irorefe Bozimo, the administrator, National Judicial Institute (NJI) and former Chief Judge of Delta State, will deliver the keynote address. Discussants consist of Judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Professors of Law,” the trustee said.

In addition to the lecture, the foundation will mark Umezulike’s one year memorial with a book presentation.

The book entitled “Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike: A Chronicle of Leading Judgments Volume 1”, has its forward written by Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, chief justice of Nigeria.

Azubike said the book is a three-part volume offering in-depth analysis of the landmark judgments of “an intellectual giant and one of Africa’s most prolific writer on land and property law.”

“The book chronicles a meticulous and comprehensive selection of notable cases spanning from Umezulike’s stellar career on the bench. A judicial activist, Umezulike, therefore, utilized the law for its real purpose in the interests of fairness and justice,” he said.

“He showed panache for not strictly adhering to precedent and ensured that his incisive Judgments foreshadowed the move towards moulding the law to suit changing times and circumstances.

“Readers will immerse in the perspicacious interpretation of the law, which depicts Umezulike’s brilliance in the application and mastery of the law.”

He said there would be a church service to commemorate the event which would hold on September 28 at the Cathedral of Good Shepherd, Independence Layout Enugu.

“The service will be officiated by Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of Anglican Communion Enugu Diocese of Enugu,” Azubike said.

The Late Umezulike was known for his expertise in land and property law. He had to his credit, 23 law books before his death in June 2018.

Umezulike was the longest-serving chief judge in south-eastern Nigeria and is remembered for receiving over 100 distinguished Legal Honours and Awards for excellence in service as a judge of Enugu state high court for over 23 years.