Igbo Presidency: Justice Peter Umeadi’s Giant Strides in the Service of the Bar

By Lawrence Nwimo

2023 Igbo Presidential Aspirant and former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter N.C Umeadi, FCarb is one of the most decorated judges in the Nigeria judicial System.

This is sequel to some of the grand achievements he garnered in the noble profession.

Given his pedigree in the profession, Justice Umeadi in 2003 rose from the administrative judge of Ihiala judicial division, Anambra state to become a member of World Law Congress in 2021 of the World Jurist Association. It was saddled with arranging the Nigeria opening session tagged the African Round table for eminent jurists across the continent of Africa.

With numerous awards, national and international recognitions in his kitty, Justice Umeadi, the Emeritus Chief Judge of Anambra State has served as Trustee of world Association of Judges incorporated with CAC/ IT/ NO 128034.

Odogwunblog.com in this publication highlights the laudable achievements of Professor Peter N. C. Umeadi FCArb, a life Bencher and Visiting Professor of Law, Department of Private Law University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Administrative judge of Ihiala Justicial Division, Anambra State , November 2006 to February 2007.

Administrative Judge of Idemili Judicial Division, Anambra state March 2007 to April 2008.

Administrative Judge of Awka Judicial Division, Anambra state, May 2008 to August 2009.

Administrative Judge of Onitsha Judicial Division, Anambra state, September 2009 – July 2011.

The Chairman of Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal and delivered the unanimous decision on twentieth of March, 2008 ousting Governor of Edo state, Prof Osunbor and Ordering the Swearing- in of the petitioner, Comrade Oshiomohle.

Vanguard Man of the year 2008. Vanguard newspapers Nigeria: January first, 2009.

Longest Serving Chief Judge of Anambra State Judiciary 2011 to 2019.

Member National Judicial Council (NJC); July 2011- July 2013.

Member of Board of Governors, National Judicial Institute ( NJI); July 2011 to February 2019.

Award of Excellence from Ndigbo Lagos: 8/ 12 / 2009

Award of committee learned friend and patron of the Bar from committee of chairman and secretaries of NBA Anambra state, 4/ 7/ 2015.

Award from Hawzat foundation for development of Cricket in Schools in Anambra state: 2006 ( the effort which started in the year 2,000 Anambra state secondary schools playing in the National Philip Asiodu Cricket Competition. In 2006, the tournament was hosted in Anambra state for the first time. Emeritus CJ was Sponsoring Christ the King College, Onitsha, Regal High School, NRI and Bishop Crowther Junior Seminary, Awka went on to win the the National Trophy three times. Many boys and girls who now took to playing the game ended up in the National teams. Today Cricket is played and loved by the children of Anambra state).

President, Anambra state scout council

Left the judiciary better than he met it

Initiated the process of appointment of over 20 Hon. Judges.

Appointed 20 learned Magistrates and mobilized them with vehicles

Provided law pavilion app to all the Hon. Judges, the Chief Registrar, and all Deputy Chief Registrar, all learned Magistrates. The learned Magistrates were issued with laptops too.

Increased the judicial Divisions in Anambra state to 10

Bequeathed to the Judiciary arguably the most scientific and functional High Court Rules in Nigeria.

The first High Court Rules to provide for interface with ADR in the same document thereby elucidating the concept of pre conference (PTC) outing same in its proper place.

Created the Anambra state Judiciary Multi- Door Courthouse.

Appointment for the first time in Nigeria DCRS of Evaluation, to conduct pre trial conference and handle non – contentious interlocutory applications. This paved way that only matters ripe for hearing go before the Honorable Judges thereby enhancing speedy decision of cases.

Concentrating on development of knowledgeable manpower by sending as many as eighty- five member if staff on courses to NJI at Abuja in one seminar, when other states were bringing five persons. It became routine that every year staff looked forward to benefit as the process were transparent such that all those who have not attended before were considered.

Open support for the welfare and renumeration of staff.

Revamping of infrastructure in housing, logistics and tools of work ( under his watch, 16 new residential buildings were erected for Honorable Judges. Magistrate Courts were refurbished. While he met a Judiciary with broken down vehicles, he purchased cars, buses and utility vehicles for all departments. All High courts were air conditioned and every administration unit revitalized. The probate department was overhauled.

Chairman, Founder’s Day Lecture UNN 2016

Guest Lecturer Dignity of Man Lecture UNN 2016

Former member of Board of Jurist Association.

Former President of World Association of Judges under the auspices of World Jurist Association.

Trustees of World Association of Judges incorporated with CAC/ IT/ NO 128034

Member of the organizin committee of World Law Congress 2021 of the World Jurist Association saddled with arranging the Nigeria Opening Session tagged the African Round Table including eminent jurists across the continent of Africa.

He left two books: (A) ” The Day the Eagle Emerged ” The Legal works of Honorable Justice Peter Nnannna Chukwudi Umeadi, Selected Rulings, judgements and Reviews.

Festive Forensic Brainstorming: Chronicle of the Chief Judges Dinners in Anambra state Judiciary 2012 to 2018.