Soludo calls for reopening of Anambra Court of Appeal

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has called for the immediate reopening of the Court of Appeal in the state.

Soludo said Anambra deserves to have a functioning Court of Appeal because it generates the second-highest number of court cases in Nigeria, after Lagos.

The governor made the call during a church service to mark the beginning of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the Anambra State Judiciary.

He said the Court of Appeal should not have been shut down, considering the number of legal cases coming from the state.

“Anambra, after Lagos, generates more cases. We are more deserving to have the Court of Appeal.

“The Court of Appeal in Anambra should not be closed for one day if merit and need happen to be the criteria. Come and open your court,” he said.

Soludo also promised to continue supporting the judiciary through improved facilities and better welfare for judicial officers.

He said the state’s plea-bargaining initiative was helping to reduce the number of inmates in correctional centres.

The governor also urged lawyers and judges to start wearing locally made wigs and gowns instead of importing them.

According to him, importing legal clothing creates jobs in other countries instead of supporting Nigerian businesses and workers.

“Can we change the law regalia into what is made in Nigeria? We are creating jobs abroad by importing all the regalia you wear.

“Let us eat what we produce and wear what we make. That is the way to help the economy. I wear Akwete to promote Made-in-Nigeria,” he said.

Soludo, who often wears Akwete fabric, said supporting locally made products would help businesses grow and create more jobs.

On security, the governor praised the cooperation among the executive, legislature and judiciary in tackling insecurity in the state.

He said the state’s Homeland Security Law had helped strengthen security and restore peace in some parts of Anambra.

Soludo added that the three arms of government shared the same responsibility of protecting the lives and welfare of residents.

He also spoke about the leadership crisis in the Awka Diocese of the Anglican Communion, saying the state government had remained neutral because the matter was an internal church affair.

However, he urged those involved to settle their differences peacefully, adding that the government’s responsibility was to maintain law and order.

Earlier, the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, said the new legal year offered the judiciary an opportunity to review its performance and work towards better service delivery.

He praised Soludo for maintaining a good relationship with the judiciary but appealed to the state government to address some of its challenges.

The Anambra State Judiciary needs help. Your presence has given us renewed hope,” the Chief Judge said.