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Amaechi Assents To New High Court Law …As Rivers People, NANS Protest NJC’s Action
Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has assented to the State High Court (Amendment) Law 2014 which amended Section 40 of the Principal Law of 2001.
The amendment was passed by 17 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly shortly after a public hearing was held to get public opinion and contribution on the new bill last Wednesday.
Part of the new law states that: “Where the Office of the Chief Judge is vacant and it is impracticable to appoint an acting Chief Judge, or a Chief Judge, the Chief Registrar shall assign cases to any judge and perform other administrative duties until an acting Chief Judge or a Chief Judge is appointed.”
In the same vein, member representing Andoni,Opobo/Nkroro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dakuku Peterside said: “The process has always been for the governor to make recommendations to the NJC, which in turn forwards a name for approval and appointment by the governor. And when the governor refuses, he appoints an acting Chief Judge.
In the case of Rivers State, the NJC wrote to all judges not to accept appointment as acting Chief Judge. The matter went to court and the government got a favourable judgment and then appointed Justice Peter Agumagu as Chief Judge. The NJC suspended him. They have gone ahead to appoint one of the judges as acting CJ. Why is the NJC bent on the appointment of a particular judge as Chief Judge?”
Hon. Peterside, said the protest was to save democracy and ensure that the rule of law was in place.
According to him, no institution of government was above the law in the country.
“What is happening today is that the people of Rivers State are doing everything possible to protect the rule of law and democracy. You can see clearly that our people know that the only way to sustain democracy is to fight for it. We are following due process to ensure we enforce the law,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who also spoke, said the people were protesting the alleged back door appointment of Justice Daisy Okocha as administrative Chief Judge of the state.
According to her, the intention of those behind the appointment was to allegedly use her to impeach the governor of the state with the aid of the anti-Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi lawmakers.
She added that the title administrative chief judge was unknown to law, adding that Rivers people would resist every step to plant undemocratic acts in the state.
She accused Justice Okocha of breaking into the High Court premises last Tuesday, an act she said was unlawful.
Meanwhile, millions of people resident in Rivers state last Wednesday staged a protest in Port Harcourt to register their displeasure over the recent directive by the National Judicial Council (NJC), that Justice Daisy W. Okocha take charge as administrative Judge of the state High Court, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge in the State.
The protesters, marched around the Judiciary complex on Azikiwe Road through Bank Road to the State Secretariat complex before gathering at the Government House gate as they vowed to oppose what they described as “double standard and impunity of the NJC”, in the State.
The Tide learnt that the protesters, who stormed the state capital from the 23 local government areas of the state, besieged the Azikiwe Road by the Post Office Bus Stop as early as 6 am, causing gridlock along the every busy UTC/Lagos bus stop route in the Old Port Harcourt City metropolis
The protesters, who were also protesting against the breaking and entry into the Judiciary complex last Tuesday, by Justice Daisy Okocha, despite the ongoing indefinite strike embanked upon by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Rivers State chapter.
Members of JUSUN had last Tuesday embarked on an indefinite strike action to, among other reasons, protest against what they described as “insecurity at the work places” as well as the consistent bombing of High Courts across the State.
Our Correspondents, who monitored the protest, report that armed Policemen stationed around the Judiciary complex prevented the angry protesters from gaining access into the complex.
The Police team leader, Clement Okonkwo, who later spoke to the protesters, told them that the Police were drafted to the area to maintain peace as well as prevent the breakdown of law and order.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the National Assembly members, the Senator representing Rivers South-East, Senator Magnus Abe said the people cannot accept the imposition of a Chief Judge on the state through the back door by the National Judicial Council.
Senator Abe accused the NJC of politicising the issue of the appointment of the state Chief Judge, adding that the constitution provides that the state governor has the sole powers to appoint a Chief Judge of a state.
“We cannot accept the imposition of an administrative Judge in the state by the NJC. The Constitution is clear on the appointment of a Chief Judge in the State”, he said.
According to him, “the person who NJC purportedly appointed has a brother as a member of the NJC. The people who are to uphold the constitution are the ones destroying it. We will not allow such thing to happen. We will resist those who want to bring ananchy in the State.”
The Senator assured the protestants that members of the National Assembly would support every efforts and moves that would rebuff the alleged undemocratic act of the NJC to foist an acting Chief Judge on the State.
Also speaking on behalf of the 23 local governments of the state, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Oji Ngofa said it was unlawful for NJC to impose a chief Judge on the state, adding that the NJC has usurped the powers of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Hon. Orji, who is the State Chairman of ALGON, also vowed that the people of the state would not in any way abide by such directive, adding that the NJC’s action has caused monumental upheaval in the administration of Justice in the State.
In a related development, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B, has rejected the imposition of Hon. Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as the administrative Judge of Rivers State judiciary by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The NANS Zone B comprises all the 11 states in the South South and South East of Nigeria.
The association, which said this at a crowded press conference in Port Harcourt also condemned the grounding of the State Judiciary and its resultant delay of Justice in the State.
The NANS Zone B Assistant Secretary General, Comrade Lah Amabu, who read the speech on behalf of the association, said that “the students body rejects in its entirety the action of the National Judicial Council on the issue of a Chief Judge for Rivers State.
“This is alien and not provided for in the constitution of Nigeria. We will oppose all moves that run contrary to the constitution”, he said.
The association, which equally condemned the forceful entry into the State Judiciary complex by Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha when the workers were on strike, also commended the Rivers State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the Rivers State High Court Amendment law which empowers the Chief Registrar of the State High Court to assign cases to Judges in the absence of a Chief Judge.
“We equally hail the courage of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his sensitivity to public opinion and commitment to the rule of law by assenting to the Rivers State High Court Amendment law passed by the State House of Assembly without delay.
“This will relieve litigants in the state and make way for quick dispensation of justice, NANS said.
The students also warned that they will not hesitate to fight against impunity in the State.
Also speaking, a past president of the Student Union Government (SUG), University of Port Harcourt, Mr. Owhorkire Rhino urged politicians to toe the parth of peace as the students will no longer tolerate the continuous violation of the constitution by the political class.
On his part, the Interim Co-ordinator of Youth Network for Democracy, Mr. Aselemi Ibrahim urged the Chief Registrar to swing into action by assigning cases to Judges.
Akujobi Amadi & John Bibor
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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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