By CHINYERE Nnaemek
In preparation for the 2024 Budget defence, the Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Information on Friday visited the state Customary Court of Appeal for an interactive session.
Visiting the court were - the Chairman of the committee and member representing Oru West State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dominic Ezerioha, Vice Chairman of the committee and member representing Nkwerre, Hon. Chisom Ojukwu.
Others include -  Hon. Francis Agabige, Orsu lawmaker, Hon. Obinna .A. Egu (Ngor Okpala legislator), and the Clerk of the committee, Uzo Matt-Oliver.
Speaking, the Chairman of the committee, Ezerioha averred that the essence of the visit was to see the level of development at the court, and how it can be advanced to a much better one.
He continued, "In the course of our interaction with the President of the Court, Justice Victor Uchenna Okorie, the Chief Accountants, the Chief Registrar, the Cashier, and other staff the Court, we discovered from them that the State Government is doing well in making sure things are going as should in the court, but that they still need their helping hand in some areas.
"We listened to the president of the court and noted down some of those challenges, and the ones we need to address, which are - the Rules of the Customary Court of Appeal, the area of the waivers for more Chairmen and members of the court at their diverse local level.
"We also noticed that the chairman and members of the court are also looking at  their wages being increased. This I know by the special grace of God will be addressed as we have a governor that doesn't joke with the welfare of his people.
"For these challenges they have tables before us, we, on our part will endeavor to interact and put up our findings in a documentation to the state government for them to come to the aid of the court, 'Ezerioha stated'
In response, the president of the court, Justice Okorie appreciated the committee for the visit, saying that the interaction was very fruitful, dutiful and rewarding.
He added that he would want it to be on a continual basis, as such visits can aid them achieve a lot for the court.
Being optimistic about the visit, Justice Okorie noted that he knows the court will be better of than it is as he believes whatever problem they have on ground will be remedied.
Following the request of the committee, the Clerk of the House further invited some of the staff of the court to the Assembly on Monday for further interactions