The Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation has announced the one-year memorial lecture and book presentation in honour of the late Quintessential Jurisperitus, Hon Justice Innocent AzubikeUmezulike OFR, FCIArb, FIIAN at Justice I.A Umezulike Auditorium, inside Enugu State High Court complex on Friday, 27th September 2019.
Umezulike was the best, masterly in his knowledge of the law, distinguished for his expertise in land and property law, had to his credit 23 law books before his eternal bow in June 2018. He was the longest-serving Chief Judge in South Eastern Nigeria and is remembered for receiving over 100 distinguished Legal Honours and Awards for excellence in service as a distinguished Judge of Enugu State High Court for over 23 years.
A statement from one of the foundation’s trustee Victor Azubike Umezulike confirmed that the event would be chaired by Peter Obi, Former Governor of Anambra State.
Emeka Chianu, the Head of Department of Private and Property Law, University of Benin, will be the guest lecturer to discuss “The overriding Role of the Judiciary in Contemporary Democracy.”
Rosaline Patricia Irorefe Bozimo, the administrator, National Judicial Institute (NJI) and former Chief Judge of Delta State, will deliver the keynote address. Discussants consist of Judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Professors of Law.
In addition to the legacy, the foundation marks his Lordships one year memorial with a book presentation. The book with the title “Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike: A Chronicle of Leading Judgments Volume 1,” forward is written by Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The book is a three-part volume book offering in-depth analysis of the landmark judgments of an intellectual giant and one of Africa’s most prolific writer on land and property law.
The book chronicles a meticulous and comprehensive selection of notable cases spanning from Umezulike’s stellar career on the bench. A judicial activist, Umezulike, therefore, utilized the law for its real purpose in the interests of fairness and justice.
He showed panache for not strictly adhering to precedent and ensured that his incisive Judgments foreshadowed the move towards moulding the law to suit changing times and circumstances.
Readers will immerse in the perspicacious interpretation of the law, which depicts Umezulike’s brilliance in the application and mastery of the law.
The one-year memorial event will conclude with a church service on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at the Cathedral of Good Shepherd, Independence Layout Enugu. The service will be officiated by Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma, the Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of Anglican Communion Enugu Diocese of Enugu.
