Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State has been made proud again as a Senior Magistrate in Neni Division of the State Judiciary, Ifeyinwa Nasiah Okoye, emerged top on the global stage with the Justitia Award in faraway Austria.
The Justitia Awards honour outstanding women in all legal professions and stages of their careers. The awards fall in three categories: International leaders, lifetime awards; Academia; and game changers, pioneers and young achievers.
Okoye, who was celebrated as a “Game Changer” in the Legal profession, was one of the five shortlisted nominees for the Justitia Awards during the Women in Law conference held in September, 2023.
Other four outstanding female legal Practitioners shortlisted under that category include; Jalila Haider (Pakistan), Joyce Williams (USA), Leah Moletseli (South Africa) and Mehwish Muhib Kakakhel (Pakistan). Thus, Senior Magistrate Ifeyinwa Nasiah Okoye became the only Nigerian so recognised.
In 2022, BBC service had conducted an inspirational story of resilience on Magistrate Okoye who despite being physically challenged and walks with the aid of crutches, has gone ahead to defy many challenges to fulfill her dream of being a voice for the voiceless.
This she had variously demonstrated through her service in the temple of Justice.
The Justitia Awards to the Magistrate comes as a cheering news to the State as it added to the long list of Anambrarians who have made the state proud at the international stage.
