The Chief Judge of Anambra, Justice Onochie M. Anyachebelu, on Friday, performed land breaking ceremony of Multi-Purpose Block of the Ozo Amanke Okafor Bar Centre Awka, Anambra State.

The epoch-making events had dignitaries in attendance.

The Branch Chairman, Ekene Okonkwo during his speech said his joy knew no bounds because this momentous event which has been under gestation for some time now is finally being made a reality.

“I am particularly grateful to God that the building of the Multi-Purpose Block which was one of the major campaign promises made by the current administration before its assumption of office on 13/07/2019 is finally taking shape.

“Ordinarily, the Executive Committee of the Branch would have been discouraged and or overwhelmed by the series of tumultuous economic cum social challenges buffeting and besetting our nation. No thanks to the deadly coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic ravaging most countries of the world with its debilitating impact on the livelihood and income of various segments of the society.

“As if the paralysis engendered by the said virus is not enough, the recent #EndSARS protest across the country supervened and brought our dear nation to a standstill made worse after it was infiltrated by some overzealous security agents whose strong-arm tactics to quell the protest led to avoidable loss of lives at Lekki Toll Gate Lagos and some other places across the country.

“Cashing in on the confusion, hoodlums hijacked the peaceful protest and wreaked unimaginable havoc on some private and public property with some of our policemen paying the supreme sacrifice.

“As a branch, we empathize with all those who lost loved ones and or property during the said #EndSARS protest.

Okonkwo, applauded the Chief Judge of Anambra State for his well-delivered speech at the 2020/2021 Legal Year, most particularly as it relates to ICT.

“Permit me at this juncture to mention and commend in a special way our special guest of honour, My Lord, the Honourable Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon. Justice Onochie M. Anyachebelu Ficmc, who despite his very tight schedule, at very short notice graciously agreed to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the Multi-Purpose Block of Ozo Amanke Okafor Bar Centre.

“We greatly appreciate My Lord the Hon. Chief Judge for his innovative ideas, inclusive and pragmatic leadership of the State judiciary thus far.

“As a branch, we assure him of our unflinching support. We are also very excited by the ICT content outlined for the Anambra State Judiciary in his 2020-2021 Legal Year Speech delivered on 9/11/2020 particularly as it relates to virtual hearing in Anambra State High Court.

In addition, he appreciated all members of the Branch and charged them to continuously support the activities of his administration.

“In the same vein, the Executive Committee of NBA Awka Branch is eternally grateful to Chief O. B. Onyali SAN and Prof. Ilochi Okafor SAN FCIArb, Leader and Deputy Leader of NBA Awka Branch, respectively, for their fatherly role, guidance and pieces of advice.

“Also worthy of mention for their uncommon encouragement and support to the Executive Committee of the Branch are the following Elders who had at one time or the other served the Branch meritoriously as Chairman. They are:

Hon. Justice C. G. Nwankwor, Chief Ifeanyi Obiakor, Mr John Iguh, Mr Amaka Ezeno (the only gentleman in skirt), Chief Uba Anene, Chief Emma Odum and Sir G. U. Moneke.

“Our worthy ambassador and the National Financial Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, in the person of Nnamdi R. Anagor Esq. for his wonderful solidarity.

“I acknowledge the wonderful sacrifices and inputs of members of the Executive Committee of NBA Awka Branch and the entire members of the Capital Bar. I must confess that the Capital Bar, despite all the challenges, is one happy and united family. I urge all of us to continue to exhibit this amity and harmony going forward, because in unity we will make the realization of this Multi Purpose Block of Ozo Amanke Okafor Bar Centre a reality,” he added