SW News: At the Holy Mass that inaugurated the new legal year for the Imo State Judiciary in Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri expressed concern that judges are not always selected based on their qualifications. He urged the executive branch of government to consider appointing qualified judges in order to strengthen the country's judiciary.

In addition, he is reported as saying that the presence of unqualified, inept, or corrupt judges is a "disease" for any nation or state. The Archbishop spoke during the ceremony on December 16 in his Metropolitan See's Maria Assumpta Cathedral. He complimented Nigeria's "dazzling diversity" of learned, experienced, and professional judges with unquestionable integrity.

However, he stated that the nomination of such qualified judges is sometimes "sacrificed on the altars of nepotism, religious affinity, or political affiliation," which is detrimental to their reputation in society. When the credibility of qualified judges is questioned, the entire legal system loses face, according to Archbishop Ugorji.

He stated that Nigeria requires judges with the courage to resist bribes, pressure, and intimidation. Moreover, he stated that such judges are the pride of the judiciary and a boon to the nation.

He continued by arguing that victims' access to justice is hampered when cases are submitted swiftly, when suspects are not held without trial indefinitely, and when justice is rendered in a reasonable amount of time.

Archbishop Ugorji reprimanded attorneys for "constantly requesting for cases to be delayed," stating that this demonstrates a lack of concern or a desire to prepare case files thoroughly. In a similar vein, he added, "A lawyer who claims to defend a client in a case in which he has a conflict of interest lacks impartiality."

The Most Rev. Ugorji was appointed the archbishop of Owerri on March 6 this year.