Rivers Judiciary Begins New Legal Year

The 2011/2012 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary has commenced. The new legal year started with a rededication Church Service and a Special Court Session on Friday, 20th January, 2012. The programme was re-scheduled for one week due to the recent nation wide strike embarked upon by the organised labour unions in protest over the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

The programme which is an annual ritual in the legal profession attracted many personalities from all walks of life including members of the state executive council, state legislature and the Bar.

Among such dignitaries that graced the epoch, making event were the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyi Kwanne, NBA President, Joseph Bodurin Daudu (SAN), Rev. I.C.O Katty, Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Anglican Communion and Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, among others.

The Church Service hase been described by many as a right step taken in right direction by the judiciary in recognition of the daunting challenges confronting the sector as well as the huge expectations from the society.

Speaking at the Rededication Service held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road, Port Harcourt, last Friday, the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent U. Ordu, commended the Judiciary for starting the legal year with a rededication Church Service,. adding that it is an indication that, without God we (humans) cannot achieve success in our chosen endeavours.

Rev. Ordu who took his sermon from the books of Exodus 18:13-24 and I Samuel 2:25-26 noted that the service will offer the Judiciary a fresh opportunity to hear directly from God on how to go about their sacred and secret duties.

According to him, God is delighted in justice and frowns when injustice pervades society, urging members of the judiciary to handle their job with utmost fairness and equity.

“We see that we are in Partnership with God in your work. God frowns at sins; He has appointed lawyers, Judges and magistrates for upholding justice in the society”.

The Bishop of Evo Diocese urged the Judiciary to use their responsibilities to sanitise the society and not to pervert justice in the society and added that equitable justice should be their watch word.

The man of God urged them not to accept bribe while discharging their duties, and noted that such act would improve justice.

He called on the judiciary, especially Judges and Magistrate not to be afraid while discharging their duties and pointed out that it was the only way the society could be better.

Bishop Ordu used the opportunity to call on those responsible for appointing Judges and magistrates to appoint those who have the requisite knowledge of the law, stressing that judiciary is the last hope of the people, especially the less privileged in the society.

The State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi read the first lesson while the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Iche Ndu read the second lesson.

At a Special Court session, presided over by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Iche N. Ndu to usher the new legal year, speakers at the court session used the opportunity to appraise the challenges in the judiciary system.

Taking the lead, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Bodurin Daudu (SAN) commended the state Judiciary for consistently keeping pace with the dictates and demands of the profession.

Daudu averred that all was not well with the legal profession, noting that it is an extension of the societal malaise, epitomised by corruption and get-rich-quick syndrome that has infiltrated the entire country.

Also speaking, the State Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Patrice Ukposi urged the judiciary leadership to review the fees charged in filing case in the magistrate courts, noting that such high fee could deny the less privileged the opportunity to access justice.

Also speaking, the State Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu disclosed that, the Judiciary had disposed of a total of 5,387 cases out of 16,149 cases in 2011.

He further disclosed that 9,407 cases were brought forward from 2010, 6,742 cases were filed in 2011 while a total of 10,306 cases are still pending both in the High Courts, Customary Court of Appeal and Customary Courts.

According to him, there are 37 Judges and 38 Magistrates in the High Courts, while the Customary Courts of Appeal have four Judges and 32 Magistrates respectively. Adding that a Judge would soon be posted to the Saakpenwa Division, making it 12 Divisions of the High Courts in the State.

Justice Iche Ndu lauded Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for giving the independence of the judiciary in the state which according to him, gave rise to the success achieved by the Judiciary arm in the state.

The climax of the event was a prayer of dedication of the entire Judiciary, executive and legislative arms. The state Chief Judge later inspected a guard of Honour mounted by the Nigerian Police.

Sarah  Jacob P.