BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI- Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has charged members of the bench and bar to take the issue of kidnapping seriously, especially now that it was assuming a frightening dimension in the state.

Okorocha gave the charge after swearing-in the Acting President of Imo State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Pius Ifeanyi Okpara.

“The issue of kidnapping and other serious crimes is assuming frightening dimension in the state. Lawyers should be wary about pressing for bail on their behalf. They could be more dangerous when released and you could be their next victim,” Okorocha reasoned.

He recalled that he had since stopped the salaries of royal fathers in kidnap endemic local council areas of the state, stressing that people must think of something new if the state must develop.

“If the old system and habit has not helped us, must we continue with it? I have ploughed the huge security vote into building new access roads in parts of the state. I have no business keeping that kind of money,” the governor said.

Earlier in his response, Justice Okpara lamented that the absence of court halls is actually frustrating the efforts of judges at speedy dispensation of appeal cases.

Okpara further lamented that the Customary Court of Appeal is the only establishment in the state without pool cars, adding that he will do his best as the profession and history will judge him.