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.