The Court of Appeal on Monday assumed its historical sitting in Awka after more than three decades with 50 cases set to be decided on the first day.
Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Enugu division, Mr A. I. Maude who spoke to newsmen in Awka, said the Court would hold in two panels.
He said panel one of the Court would be headed by Justice H.M Ogunwumiju while panel two would be headed by Justice M.A Oredola.
Maude said Justices T. S. Yakubu and M.O Bolaji-Yusuf made up the panel one while R.M Pemu and E.A Agim are other members of panel two.
The Deputy Registrar noted that the decision to move the Court of Appeal which is in-Charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states to Awka was because most of the cases there emanated from Anambra.
According to him, the Court would attend to cases from Anambra only, adding that the essence was to dispose the backlog of cases from the state and reduce the risk and cost of movement of lawyers and litigants from the state to Enugu.
Maude maintained that it was the tradition of the Court to move sitting around the states within its area of jurisdiction.
He expressed satisfaction with the reception they received from the Anambra Ministry of Justice which he said was good for the smooth takeoff and conduciveness of the sitting during the period of their stay.
In some of the cases decide earlier on Monday, a criminal case between Camillus Ikenso and the State was adjourned to April 22 for hearing.
Judgment was reserved for the case between Sylvester Akabueze and Chief Frank Onwudiwe Obi and sons pending the payment of administrative fee for filling of Motion of Appeal by the plaintiff within seven days.
Meanwhile, the movement of sitting of the Court of Appeal to Awka has been welcomed with excitement by lawyers and litigants at the Anambra State High Court, venue of the sitting.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), J.O. Nnadi while making a case, said it was a huge relief for him that he had to put off most of his appointments and hurry down to Awka.
“One was overjoyed when I heard the Court of Appeal is coming to sit in Awka, it is a welcome development because we had one at one time,” he said.
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