By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Imo State government has reiterated its commitment to strengthen and place the judiciary in a vantage position to perform its constitutional duties.

Governor Ikedi Ohakim, who made the promise during an interactive session at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Owerri, also opined that there was still hope for the democratic process in Nigeria..

Urging judges to sustain the tempo, Ohakim added that only a pragmatic judiciary was needed for the advancement of governance in the country.

Governor Ohakim disclosed that part of the resolutions of  South East governors was to increase the Supreme Court Justices, as well as promote the bench to include upcoming and vibrant lawyers that would replace old and retired hands.

He further revealed that the state had paid bursary to law students while awarding scholarships to deserving students of Imo State origin in tertiary institutions.

On the issue of security, he assured that the state had put machinery in motion to deal with all semblances of criminality, stressing that Major General Chikwe, a former GOC, 81, Lagos, had been appointed to head the task force to address the matter.

He used the opportunity to exhort judges to assist him in the administration of the state through constructive contributions in the progress of the state.

The governor listed other achievements recorded by his administration to include re-branded IROMA, three power substations, rehabilitated water Schemes, 10,000 graduate job placements, N8b mechanized agriculture, among others.

In his own speech, Justice ABC Egu lauded the governor for his giant strides and his avowed conviviality with the judiciary.