BY PATRICK MGBODO
With the torching of a High Court by hoodlums of the #EndSARS protests in Asaba, some cases may never see the light of day, lamented Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro.
Umukoro disclosed this to newsmen on a routine visit to inspect the level of ongoing renovation and fortification works at the court premises in the State Capital which was set ablaze last month.
The Chief Judge expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work, emphasizing that until the renovation works are concluded before the year ended, the court will be relocated to sit temporarily in Ibusa.
He said that the State Government had sourced funds for the renovation from its contingency provision as provided in the budget, even as he appreciated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for swiftly responding to restoring the Courthouse.
“Some cases will never see the light of day because exhibits were burnt but I have advised lawyers to compile their Court Processes in all the cases and submit to the State High Court so that they can compare notes before the judges.
“But certainly, some cases will never see the light of day because certain critical materials would have been destroyed in the inferno. We are living in a society where some people have decided to be deviant” he said.
The Commissioner for Housing, Chief Festus Ochonogor said that the renovation work on the destroyed facilities across the state has cost the state government a lot of money which would have used for further development projects.
Ochonogor said that the court renovation “is costing the state government roughly N100 million to reconstruct, fortify and furnish the building”, adding that the renovation project was contracted because of its importance and desired pace.
Justice Umukoro was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu and the Commissioner of Justice, Peter Mrakpor (SAN).