Limit Your Social Circles, CJ Tells Imo State Magistrates

Imo State Magistrates received a boost to their knowledge during a 3'day webinar  held to reinforce the Magistrates.

The Acting Chief Judge of Imo  State, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, who was also in  the meeting, described the occasion as sanctimonious and advised the magistrates to “put God first in all that you do” in order to succeed.

While urging the new magistrates to keep both their oath of office and oath of secrecy, the Acting Chief Judge told them that with their new status, they could not afford to expand their social circles.

''You are meant to be fearless but fair; you are meant to be courageous. Your social circles becomes limited from today; you cannot increase your social circles,” the Acting Chief Judge said.

He warned the new magistrates that they would soon begin to come under pressure from friends and family to influence their decisions, but advised them against compromise “because when the chips are down, you are going to be on your own.”

The Acting Chief Judge also advised them that when confronted with friends and family seeking favour, they should not shun them but rather courteously “tell them to tell their lawyers to do their job well.”

You cannot write a ruling and change it after pronouncement;that will be a grave error,” the Acting Chief Judge said, adding that “Your decision must speak well of you.”

Justice Ijeoma Agugua  also advised the magistrates not to do “anything that will make your family sad.”and urged them not to compromise judicial values.