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Petition To NJC: Rivers Judiciary Berates PDP
The Rivers State Judiciary has berated the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Hon Felix Obuah over a purported statement alleging that the state governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi wants to use the office of the Acting Chief Judge, Hon Justice Peter Agumagu to thwart the administration of justice in the state.
A press statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court of Rivers State, Leonard K Adoki yesterday in Port Harcourt and made available to The Tide, said the state judiciary would not have reacted to such wild allegations from the PDP in the state as it would not want the judiciary in the state to be dragged into the political crisis but had to do so in other to preserve and safeguard the independence of the judiciary, especially in the state.
According to the statement, the attention of the Rivers State Judiciary was drawn to statement signed and issued by Mr Jerry Needam, Special Adviser on Media to Chief Felix Obuah, Chairman, PDP Rivers State chapter that Governor Chibuike Amaechi wants to use the office of the Acting Chief Judge, Hon Justice Peter N C. Agumagu to thwart the administration of justice in the state.
The statement further state that the PDP alleged that the plot is aimed at ensuring that all cases involving Governor Amaechi, all the state House of Assembly members loyal to him, his political aides and other government officials as well as other state PDP related matters should be assigned to only judges that are prepared to do his (Amaechi) bidding.
Adoki averred that the allegations contained in the said publication, that there are selected judges to undo political opponents of the state governor as only a mere figment of the imagination of Mr Jerry Needam, adding that the state judiciary was not surprised because such antics which are outright fabrications were aimed at scoring cheap political points.
He appealed to politicians especially the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to desist from tarnishing the image of the respected judges in the state, stating that assignment of cases is a routine duty performed by the Chief Judge of the state.
The Registrar posited that the acting Chief Judge was not a stranger to such duties having once been a Chief Registrar and President, Customary Court of Appeal.He noted that in both capacities, he has been performing that task of assigning cases to judges and magistrates of the state judiciary.
In the performance of these duties, the Acting Chief Judge does not take directive from any body, the governor inclusive “as a seasoned, respected and very experience judiciary officer, the Ag Chief Judge knows he is not answerable to any group of individual in the discharge of his duties”, he added.
Mr Adoki used the opportunity to call on the National Judiciary Council (NJC) not to be bothered by the said publication as it was only targeted to drag the council to a non-existence issue, while emphasising that the state judiciary does not wish to be continually distracted by these fabrications. He prayed that NJC to discountenance the said and future publications as it was only a cheap blackmail.
It further advised the general public especially Rivers people to disregard what it called the baseless allegations concocted by Jerry Needam and called on Mr Needam and his cohorts in the state chapter of PDP to discontinue the barrage of attacks aimed at rubbishing the integrity and image of the state judiciary in the state and country at large.
He assured that the state judiciary will continue to discharge its constitutional obligations to the society without fear of favour.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nworgu Boms has condemned the attempt by some politicians to portray some judges in Rivers State in bad light stating that the attempt was to emasculate the judiciary by dragging it into the political crisis in the state.
Boms who addressed the press in Port Harcourt yesterday in reaction to a publication in the Nation Newspaper of Monday October 14 page 47, signed by Monwan Etete for the Obuah-led Peoples Democratic Party, described the publication as a criminal contempt and part of the group’s emerging desperate politics in the state”.
According to the publication, four judges of the state High Court, Hon Justice E Thompson, S Iruagunima, E Teetito and I. Iyayi Lamikanra, are ‘uncompromising and unapproachable” judges of the state in whose various courts are pending some politically- related cases.
It also accused the Acting Chief Judge, Hon Justice Agumagu of transferring cases pending before those four judges to those willing to compromise on the directives of Governor Amaechi, an allegation the Attorney General described as untrue.
Boms who described the allegation as ‘a measure of how morally low they have sank in the name of politics’, challenged the group to petition the National Judicial Commission by tendering the particulars of the alleged judicial malfeasance of the judges they accused of corruption, rather than engage in a campaign of calumny against them.
Boms recalled that the group had once petitioned the former Chief Judge of Rivers State against a matter in a particular court and the then Chief Judge promptly removed the matter from that court and took it to another court.
He said the group was happy at the outcome as the then Chief Judge acceded to their objection.
He also recalled that the group defied the judgement of the Federal High Court that the illegal siege at the Obio/Akpor Local Government Headquarters be removed, noting that the council headquarters is still under police siege and overgrown with grass.
The Attorney General further disclosed that the purpose of the publication was to intimidate the judiciary so that the pending Obio/Akpor matter in the state High Court will be decided by the Judge they prefer for what ever reason”.
The Attorney General also picked holes in the statement by the Chief Registrar of the state High Court in the media that both counsel in the Obio/Akpor mater petitioned against Justice Iruagunima’s handling of the matter and requested the then Chief Judge to transfer the matter for hearing by Justice Adama Iyayi Lamikaura where it is now pending.
He called on the Chief Registrar to make public the complaint of the lawyer to the governor and the Attorney General, Roland Otaru Esq (SAN), against the Chief Judge, Hon Justice Iche Ndu (rtd) “which is now touted as the basis for what is now clearly a mysterious transfer”
He added that if the Chief Registrar could provide the petition allegedly written by him against Justice Iruagunima, he would not only resign his appointment as Attorney General and commissioner for Justice but tender an apology to him.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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