Periscoping 2012/2013 Legal Year In Rivers State

The importance of the judiciary in the nation building can not be over emphasised.

The judiciary is the organ of government responsible for the imterpretation and the implementation of the law in the society. Hence, government at all levels ensures that adequate support is given to the third arm of government to promote the observation of law and order in the country.

Friday 11th January, 2012 would continue to remain historic in the annals of the legal profession in the state as members of the bar and bench led by the State Chief Judge, Justice Iche N. Ndu took the usual gowns and wigs in the daily court business to seek God’s Grace, Guidance and protections on the ernomous task ahead of them in 2013.  In order to avoid being caught in the face of daunting challenges the legal practitioners converged at the St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road, Port Harcourt for a rededication services to commence the 2012/2013 legal year in the state.

The rededication service, however, turned out to be a Mecca as the who is who in the legal profession in the state and beyond gathered together for spiritual rebirth and fortification.

The church service started at exactly 10.am, few minutes later when the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and some member of the executive arm as well as the representatives of the state legislature. The state chief judge, Justice Iche N. Ndu, and other top officials of the judiciary ushered in the governor and his entourage in to the church.

Governor Amaechi read the first lesson from the book of 1Sam 12:1-16, while the state chief judge, Justice Iche Ndu took the second lesson from the book of St. Luke 2:41-52.

Delivering his sermon entitled “Administration of Justice and Sustenance of Democracy” the Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Etche, Bishop Okechukwu Nwala said every citizens had a responsibility in  nation-building and added that governance can not be left alone for in the hands of those enthrusted with leadership positions in the country.

Bishop Okey Nwala who took his Bible reading in the book of Esther chapter 1:1-5, 10-19 urged judges, magistrate and lawyers serving in the state to show more interest in their jobs and added that as workers in the judiciary, they should always put sacrifice first in the service. “We should inculcate sacrifice in the service of the nation and humanity at large.

The man of God charged the legal practitioners to put God first in their dealings and pursue justice, fairness and equity. He added that every  individual would give account of their stewardship here on earth.

He listed sincerity, faithfulness and commitment as a window for God’s blessing in service and urged them to shun any form of bribery and corruptions in the discharge of their sacred responsibilities to the state and nation at large.

According to him, “what the country needs at hand is a change in behaviour and not a change in principles. We do not need new constitution, because constitution cannot make us resume work by 8am” he stated.

In his own remark at the church service, the state governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi urged the members of legal profession to have their trust in God so as to perform their duties and announced that the state government would provide free Ipad to all members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in the state.

At about 1:30pm in the afternoon, the celebration returned to the court premises for the special court session. But before then, the Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Nigeria police.

At the court session, the chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Port Harcourt Branch, Lawrence Oko-Jaja (Esq.) took the lead among the roll call of speakers. Mr. Oko-Jaja eulogised the State government for their support to the state judiciary which according to him had earned her to be ranked among the best in the country.

Mr. Oko-Jaja lauded the pragmatic leadership style of the state Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu for the developmental strides in the judiciary and called for the refurbishment of the high court library.

Also speaking, the leader of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rivers State OCJ Okocha reminded members of lawyers the need to observe the code of conduct of the profession noting that the importance of the celebration would be meaningless if they failed to be committed to their duties.

In his own speech, the president of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali urged members of the association to be fair and just in the service and rise up to protect the right of possession stressing that the role of judiciary in the development of the society is sacrosanct.

The NBA president averred that corruption has taken its own toll in the legal profession and added that the hope of the ordinary man would be meaningless. “We must rise up against the ugly trend now and not allow the few eggs in our midst to destroy our hard earned reputations”.

Also speaking, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Wogu Bomb said the special court session afforded members of the profession the opportunity to reflect on their past activities noting that dispute resolution was never an easy task.

Hon. Boms condemned the delay in justice administration and attributed such to corruption in the system.

He urged his colleague not to have the spirit to win cases at all cost adding that “we must not win at all the time”.

The Chief Judge of State, Justice Iche N. Ndu while given the scorecard of his administration in 2013, said the judiciary recorded a much progress in the last year.

Justice Iche Ndu commended members of the Bar, judges, magistrates and staff of the judiciary for the support given to his administration in the last year.

He also commended the executive and the legislative arms for their support to the judiciary  and promised to reciprocate the gesture.

Briggs Judith