Onome Nwankwo Emerges NCPC-ICPC Magistrate Of The Year

• Stakeholders Urge Magistrates, Bench To Emulate Her Incorruptibility

By Uzo Ugwunze

The National Community Policing Campaign (NCPC), in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), has named Chief Magistrate Onome Martha Nwankwo, the Administrative Magistrate of the Ogbaru Magisterial District in Anambra State, as the best Magistrate in Nigeria for the year 2025.

Kingsley Ubah, Executive Director of NCPC-ICPC, announced this on Thursday while presenting her with the award at Magistrate Court 1 Hall, Okpoko, located within the Okpoko Community Development Union Secretariat in the Ogbaru Magisterial District.

He stated that Chief Magistrate Nwankwo stood out among other judicial officers considered and was unanimously nominated by the NCPC after a close observation of her incorruptible manner of dispensing justice.

He urged judicial officers across the country to emulate her exemplary conduct by shunning all forms of corruption, dishonesty, and sharp practices that could demean the integrity of the judiciary.

Earlier, Anambra State Director of NCPC-ICPC, Elder Christopher Madueke, remarked that every person has a day of birth and a day of death, and one is remembered for the achievements and lifestyle in between.

According to Elder Madueke, “Whether you live 100 or 1,000 years, what matters most is not the length of life, but how well, how honestly, how impartially, and how dedicatedly you live it in all its ramifications.”

Sir Charles Ezeokafor, President-General of the Okpoko Community Development Union (OCDU), noted that Chief Magistrate Nwankwo has always been a shining example in the temple of justice and expressed optimism that her conduct would remain indelible in the annals of history.

Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, President of the Ogbaru Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, presented a cash donation of N50,000 on behalf of the market association in appreciation for her recognition as the best Magistrate for the year 2025.

He described Chief Magistrate Nwankwo as a straightforward person who will always be remembered for her integrity, urging other members of the Bench to emulate her incorruptibility.

Flanked by other executive members of the market, including Chief Bucknor Agu, Ochiogu praised the award recipient for her landmark judgments in Okpoko, where she serves as Administrative Magistrate, and encouraged her to maintain that standard.

CSP Ewelu Owai, the Divisional Police Officer at Okpoko, noted that Chief Magistrate Nwankwo’s unopposed re-election as Chair of the Magistrate Association of Nigeria (MAN), Anambra State chapter, for a second term, is an indication that she indeed possesses the attributes of the best Magistrate in Nigeria.

Chief Raphael Agu (Commodore), Founder/National Coordinator of Human Rights Guide Association of Nigeria, described Chief Magistrate Nwankwo as an upright person and called on other law officers to emulate her shining example.

In her response, Chief Magistrate Nwankwo expressed appreciation for the honor, particularly the scale of the ceremony, and assured those present that she would remain incorruptible until she retires from active service.

According to her, “Nobody can buy justice in my court. I am not corrupt; I don’t take bribes. A superior court has overturned none of my judgments because I handle cases as they are – nothing more, nothing less – and that has been my mantra. I became a Magistrate about 18 years ago and rose through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate.”

“I am currently the Administrative Magistrate for Ogbaru Magisterial District, and I am also serving my second term as Chair of the Magistrate Association of Nigeria (MAN), to the glory of God. So, I thank all those who devoted their time to attend this epoch-making event in my honor,” Mrs. Nwankwo said.