No More Oath Fees In Customary Courts – Justice Agumagu

Chairman and Members of the Customary  Courts in Rivers  State have been warned against taking oath fees from the public, as part of proceedings.

President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state, Justice Peter Agumagu handed down the ban  during  a 5-day in-house workshop for chairmen and members of customary courts organized by the Customary Court of Appeal.

Justice Agumagu noted that following several petitions and complaints arising form members of the public over the fees, it should be discontinued forthwith.

Rather than engaging themselves with proceeds of oath fees, Justice Augmagu enjoined the Customary Court heads to fight repugnant laws in their localities, especially the one against natural laws and justice.

His words, “Let the courts defend the common rights of the people.  The Customary Courts should banish and abolish those laws through its judgements”.

He also charged them to update themselves with latest laws and proceedings in the judiciary so as to be able to control and dispense justice without being influenced.

The Customary Court of Appeal President stressed that the state government is bent on improving the customary court system and has set fresh standards in its operations.

Justice Agumagu, therefore, challenged them to live above board saying that it is the only way they could attract litigants to their courts.

So far, he said the customary courts have about 96 chairmen and other members across the state, while dismissing claims that a lot of them don’t hold court sessions in their localities.

He declared that any chairman or member found wanting would be penalised and, therefore, harped on the need for them to defend the rights of the local people.