September 19, (THEWILL) – The Presiding Bishop of the Central Chapel International, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong, has charged the judiciary in the state to be Circumspect in the dispensation of justice in the state.
Bishop Isong gave the charge at the Christian Central Chapel International, during the opening of the 2022/2023 legal year.
Bishop Isong spoke on the topic, “A Woman Taken In Adultery” and took his text from the scriptures as recorded by John the Baptist.
He said the issue was not adultery, but a scenario to trap Jesus by juxtaposing it with God’s grace.
In his words, “Judicial officers, especially those who sit on the bench and the bar, should look well and listen carefully because the world is wicked, people can be set up, lies can be told, not what you see can be true.
“The woman supposedly caught in adultery was just a bait to arrest Jesus for blasphemy and that was arranged by some pharisees in some dubious process without evidence and her case could not be proven without reasonable doubt”, he said.
He argued that the central issue with the case was how to apply the law of Moses in the dispensation of grace.
He said Jesus Christ was a priest of the new testament, while Moses was that of the old and the Pharisees brought the case to trap Jesus Christ.
Bishop Isong said Jesus was circumspect, by dismissing the case because he even wrote the law of Moses and he is the one that brought grace.
He said the case was a contradiction between grace and law and ultimately aimed at Jesus.
On her part, the State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, said this legal year is a year like no other and thanked judicial officers for making the outgone year a success.
He also thanked the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, for his support for the judiciary which ensured the success of the new legal year.
Also speaking, the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, said the expectations of the government and citizens this legal year are enormous.
The governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Professor Ivara Esu, charged judicial officers to practice rule of law, and eschew favouritism, particularly to those who feel judgment can be procured.
He further admonished them to be bold and always ensure justice is served no matter whose ox is gored.
This year’s legal year commenced with a church service and was followed by an inspection of the guard of honour, as well as a court session.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
