RVHA Crisis Inquiry: RSG Appeals High Court Verdict …As Rivers Judiciary Attributes Success To God

The Rivers State Government last Saturday, said it would appeal against the ruling of a Port Harcourt High Court which restrained its Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the House of Assembly crisis.
This indication is contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications,Mrs Ibim Semenitari, in Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, has power under the law to commission an inquiry into any matter or issue in the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt and for purposes of clarification, Amaechi, as governor of Rivers State, has powers under the law to commission an inquiry into any matter or issue.
“However, such matters arose as the enabling law does not state the categories or circumstances in which the governor can be prevented from constituting such inquiries,’’ she said.
Semenitari said that the exercise of such power did not make the governor a judge in any matter concerning him before the judge that he appointed.
She said the judgment did not recognise this principle and that the government would appeal against the court’s ruling.
Our correspondent  reports that a Port Harcourt High Court, on Friday ruled that the commission was illegal and unconstitutional.
Justice Iyaye Lamikanra, who delivered the ruling, also restrained the commission from sitting.
Meanwhile, the President of Customary Court of Appeal in Rivers, Justice Peter Agumagu, on Friday attributed the success of the state judiciary to the grace of God.
Agumagu made the assertion at a thanksgiving service to mark the end of the 2012/2013 Legal Year in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the judiciary is grateful to God for leading it successfully throughout the year.
Agumagu commended members of the Judiciary for their efforts at ensuring efficient and productive service delivery to the people of the state..
“I commend all members of the Nigerian Bar Association for their efforts in ensuring a successful year.’’
Agumagu urged members of the state judiciary to be courageous in all they do to maintain peace, law and order in the state.
He also urged them to remain focused while on vacation and resume with joy to continue in the fight for justice in the state and country.
Delivering the sermon, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Evo, Rev. Innocent Ordu,  said that God, who is the highest Judge, had passed through the judiciary to bring peace.
Ordu urged members of the judiciary to always acknowledge God in their entire practise for more wisdom just as he gave to Solomon in the Bible.
“God loves justice, that is why He gave wisdom to judges and also love them for bringing peace among people of the earth,’’ he said.
The bishop advised members to reflect on how God had helped them to achieve much through the legal year.