News
Rivers Courts Receive 13,027 Cases
A total of 13,027 cases were filed at different courts of the state judiciary between January and December 2010.
Breakdown of the figure shows that 3,800 cases were filed at the state High Court ,888 cases at the Magistrate Court while the customary court recorded a total of 1,339 cases.
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon Justice Iche Ndu made this known last Friday while delivering his address at the opening of the legal year during a special court session at the new High Court complex, Port Harcourt.
Though, Justice Iche Ndu did not say whether there was increase or otherwise in the number of cases filed within the period, he noted that a total of 17,830 cases were pending in the High Magistrate and Customary Courts in the state.
The number, he explained included cases brought forward from the previous years. The Rivers CJ, however, explained that the opening of the legal year had afforded the judiciary the opportunity to take stock, access and evaluate its performance in the previous year as well as make better plans for new legal year.
Justice Ndu said work on the state’s Customary Court of Appeal had been completed and expressed the hope that it would be unveiled for use before the end of the first quarter of this year.
The Chief Judge noted that the exercise for the appointment of a new High Court Judge had commenced and that vacancies would be filed with suitable lawyers from the private practice and those in government services.
Justice Ndu thanked God for the successful completion and commissioning of the new High Court and Magistrate Court complex, describing it as another landmark in the history of the state.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Chibuike Amaechi for his commitment in releasing funds for the execution of judiciary projects.
In his speech the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu said the state judiciary had all it takes to ensure quick dispensation of justice.
He said he was proud that Judges of the various courts and magistrates were not found wanting in discharge of their duties and urged them to continue to be epitome of justice in their calling.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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