The Cross River State Government has set-up machinery to facilitate the smooth take-off of all special court across the State in the bid to efficiently improve the administration of justice system.
The measure, in the opinion of the state governor, Prof Ben Ayade is in furtherance of its desire to entrench justice and the rule of law.
To this end, the state government yesterday handed over seven Ford Pick-up Jeep cars to mark the formal establishment and re-enactment of some of such special courts that had existed before now to the State Chief Judge OkoiIkpi Itam in a brief ceremony which took place in Government House Calabar.
Performing the handing over ceremony, the Governor, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu noted that the idea is to enforce speedy dispensation of justice as it will enable all concerned to function simultaneously to ensure entrenchment of the rule of law in all ramifications and speedy dispensation of justice.
According to Governor Ayade, it is for this reason that each court is given one vehicle, professional and skilled man power and other materials necessary for the smooth take-off of each court.
The seven special courts Prof. Ayade said are created across the State to decide on cases in strict compliance to codes of taxes. Levies and tariffs collection without the associate delays and bottle-neck in the judicial system.
The Governor who identified some of the mobile court as Revenue Court, Forestry Court, Environmental and Sanitation Court, Ports and Allied Matters Court. Others he said are Traffic Court, Arbitration and Miscellaneous Matters Court as well as Medical and Pharmaceutical Court, adding that each will be manned by a Judge. A Magistrate, Dispute Resolution Officer or Justice of Peace for the conduct of legal functions.
Receiving the vehicles, on behalf of the State Chief Judge, Justice, Okoi Ikpi Itam, Justice Maurice Eneji expressed gratitude to Governor Ayade for handing over the vehicles which he described as the most essential ingredient of the mobile court and pledged the commitment of the judicial system to assisting the government to enforce speedy dispensation of justice and enhance revenue collection for the State.
In her vote of thanks, the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Imelda Etape said they were very excited to have the work tools, saying that they will be judiciously used for the purpose for which they are meant for since the Mobil courts are designed to move from place to place in the performance of their duty.