Anambra Chief Magistrate Nwankwo Emerges NCPC–ICPC Magistrate of the Year

His Worship, Chief Magistrate Onome Martha Nwankwo receiving the award of best Magistrate in Nigeria 2025 from the Executive Director of NCPC–ICPC, Kingsley Ubah

By Uzo Ugwunze

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

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

Ubah noted that Chief Magistrate Nwankwo emerged winner among several distinguished judicial officers across the country.

According to him, the NCPC–ICPC panel unanimously nominated her after closely monitoring her incorruptible and transparent approach to the dispensation of justice.

He urged other judicial officers across Nigeria to emulate her exemplary integrity by rejecting all forms of corruption, dishonesty, and unethical practices capable of undermining the sanctity of the judiciary.

In his opening remarks, Elder Christopher Madueke, Anambra State Director of NCPC–ICPC, reflected on the transient nature of human life, emphasizing that individuals are remembered not for the length of their years but for the impact and integrity of their lives.

“Whether one lives 100 or 1,000 years, what truly matters is not how long but how well, how honestly, how neutrally, and how dedicatedly one lives,” Madueke said.

The President-General of the Okpoko Community Development Union (OCDU), Sir Charles Ezeokafor, commended Chief Magistrate Nwankwo for her unwavering commitment to justice, describing her as a “shining example in the temple of justice.”

He expressed confidence that her conduct would remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s judicial history.

Similarly, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, President of the Ogbaru Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, who made a ₦50,000 cash donation on behalf of the association in appreciation of her recognition, described Chief Magistrate Nwankwo as a forthright and principled judicial officer.

He praised her integrity and urged other members of the Bench to emulate her incorruptibility.

Executive members of the association, including Chief Bucknor Agu, Ochiogu commended the award recipient for her landmark judgments in Okpoko and encouraged her to maintain her exemplary standard.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Okpoko, CSP Ewelu Owai, also lauded Chief Magistrate Nwankwo, noting that her re-election as Chairperson of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Anambra State Chapter, for a second term unopposed, further attested to her outstanding leadership qualities and credibility.

“Her unopposed re-election clearly shows she possesses the qualities of Nigeria’s best magistrate,” he stated.

Founder and National Coordinator of the Human Rights Guide Association of Nigeria, Chief Raphael Agu (Commodore), also extolled Chief Magistrate Nwankwo’s uprightness, urging other judicial officers in the country to follow her shining example.

In her response, Chief Magistrate Nwankwo expressed deep appreciation for the honour bestowed upon her, particularly the grand scale of the ceremony organized in her recognition. She reaffirmed her commitment to integrity and justice throughout her judicial career.

“Nobody can buy justice in my court. I am not corrupt. I don’t take bribes. None of my judgments has ever been overturned by a superior court because I handle cases strictly on their merit — nothing more, nothing less. That has been my guiding principle,” she said.

She further revealed that she has served in the judiciary for about 18 years, rising through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate.

“I am currently the Administrative Magistrate for Ogbaru Magisterial District and serving my second term as Chairperson of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, MAN, to the glory of God,”

“I sincerely thank everyone who took time to attend this epoch-making event in honour of my humble self.”she added.