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RSG Defends Agumagu’s Appointment As CJ …Condemns NJC’s Suspension Order
The Rivers State Government has reacted to a statement by the spokesperson of the National Judicial Council (NJC) purporting to suspend the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice P.N.C. Agumagu by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
In a statement signed by the state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, the government said that, ”if this is true, then clearly, the NJC appears not to have taken into consideration the judgment delivered by Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High court, Port Harcourt in which it is a party.
“The state government finds this position of the NJC rather curious, especially as Justice Agumagu is the most senior judge in the Rivers State judiciary and a very respected judicial officer,” the commissioner said.
She added that “the Rivers State Government had gone to the courts to seek interpretation of Section 271 (3-5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as regards the appointment of a chief judge of the state. That section of the Constitution clearly states that “A person shall not be qualified to hold office of a judge of a High Court of a state unless he is qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than ten years.”
Semenitari stressed that “to enable it act within the confines of the law, the Rivers State Government sought the court’s interpretation. The learned Justice Akanbi, in delivering his judgment, faulted the deliberate omission of Justice Agumagu’s name amongst the list of senior judges qualified to be chief judge of Rivers State.
“Justice P.N.C Agumagu is the most senior judge in the Rivers State judiciary and was seconded to establish the Customary Court of Appeal in 2008,” she stated.
The statement emphasised that “the Rivers State Government is well aware that there is no constitutional provision compelling the governor to appoint a chief judge based on his or her seniority or even the arm of the judiciary to which such a person belongs. What the constitution requires is a minimum of 10 years post-call qualification.
“This is evidenced even by the appointment of the immediate past Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iche Ndu, who was appointed chief judge over his senior at the bench. At the time of Justice Ndu’s appointment, the Justice Sotonye Denton-West was the most senior judge in the Rivers State judiciary, yet the NJC did not compel the governor at the time to announce her as chief judge.
“The refusal of the NJC to abide by the recommendations of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission on the appointment of the state chief judge and its insistence on a particular candidate is a cause of worry for the Rivers State Government,” the statement indicated.
She said that “such insistence may appear to mark the NJC out as clearly partisan, self-interested and self-serving, in a case in which it is a party. The NJC has shown such over-weaning personal interest in this matter, thereby raising serious and fundamental questions as to how justifiable is it for NJC to interpose itself in a case in which it clearly has more than a passing interest. It is a well known principle of administrative law that a party cannot be a judge in its own cause.
“When Honorable Justice Akanbi of the Federal high Court struck down the decision of the NJC to preclude Justice Agumagu from consideration for the position of the chief judge, the Rivers State Government fully expected the NJC, as a law abiding institution, to choose the path of civility, and appeal if it was dissatisfied with the decision. Rather than do so, the NJC has chosen the path of unconstitutional bullying, lawlessness and injudicious racketeering. It is a dark day for our country when the most senior justices and lawyers in our country resort to high-handed self help instead of judicial redress,” she noted.
Semenitari explained that “the Rivers State Government reiterates its respect and admiration for the judiciary but will respectfully remind the NJC that it is a statutory body, not a court”.
The Rivers State Government, therefore, requested the NJC not to allow itself to become a tool in the hands of advocates of nepotism and sectional interest.
“The Rivers State Government will urge the NJC to respect the ruling of the Federal High Court, and indeed, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which it has a responsibility to uphold in the interest of justice, fair play and fair mindedness. By the way, it has acted; the NJC seeks to put itself above the law. We would respectfully remind the NJC that is not above the law. The path of legality for the NJC is to seek redress in the courts,” the statement added.
Governor Amaechi cut the tape to commission the ultra modern Eketta Igbodo Market in Etche Local Government Area, flanked by Hon. Barr Reginald Ukwuoma, Etche LGA Chairman.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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