The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has charged the new Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, to be firm, courageous and surpass the achievements of his predecessor.
He gave the charge at the swearing-in ceremony of the chief judge at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Wike stated that one best way for him to be reckoned with as a successful judge is to be decisive about speedy delivery of justice.
This, he said, can be done by making sure that case files are not only assigned, but actually treated and dispensed with and judgments given based on the merit of the case.
Wike said that the state was also a hallmark of Judiciary independence that was being clamoured for by workers in the sector.
“Please, let everybody work with you together. If anybody does not do his duty, you are the chief judge, you know what to do. Do not panic.
“Show that you have leadership. Whether the person was your classmate or not, is immaterial.”
The governor advised the new chief judge not to be afraid of petitions against him either from individuals or from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) because such petitions and animosity could be without the facts, or justification.
He urged Justice Amadi to discharge his duties in a manner that would make the state proud as it was under his predecessor.
“Anywhere I go in Abuja; they talk about my (former) chief judge. I still want you to maintain that relationship.
“Let people talk about you, maintain a cordial relationship with your colleagues outside and at home too.”
Wike also assured that his administration would continue with the robust relationship established with the Judiciary under Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, which has also been the situation with the Legislature.
“Whatever is meant for the Judiciary, we will not look back in doing it. I have said here, we will continue with the financial autonomy.
“The one I will not agree to, is that the Judiciary should go and submit budget to the state House of Assembly. There is no law that says so.”
Wike told him to set out a timeline of achievements, and be ready to show evidence in the next six months of assumption of duty.
“You’ve been a Magistrate and Chief Registrar, so, you know what administration is all about. Try as much as you can to surpass the achievements she made.
“So, you too will have to say, while you were in office, this was what you did”, Wike added.
Justice Simeon C. Amadi is stepping in as the 9th Chief Judge of the state after the retirement of the former chief judge of the state, Justice Adama Inyie Iyayi-Lamikanra.