Rivers Judiciary Uncovers Blackmail Against Agumagu …Insists Chief Judge’s Hale, Hearty

The Rivers State Judiciary says it has uncovered an orchestrated blackmail aimed at tarnishing the image of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Peter Agumagu through false publications.
A press statement signed by the Chief Registrar, Rivers State High Court, Leonard I. Adioki, said the publication in one of the local tabloids, (not The Tide) on April 20, 2014 edition with the headline: “Agumagu slumps, flown Abroad”, was a calculated attempt to destroy the reputation of the State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Agumagu.
Adoki stated that ordinarily, the state Judiciary would not have bordered to react to the said publication full of falsehood, cheap blackmail, speculations and display of unprofessionalism but for the interest of the general public who may be gullible to the falsehood created in the said publication.
“We have decided to react to the publication and to put the records straight, and correct the falsehood to the effect that the respected jurist slumped and was first rushed to Kelsey Harrison Hospital in Port Harcourt before he was flown in an air ambulance abroad where he is currently receiving treatment”.
The statement further described the claim as laughable and baseless, saying that it was a figment of the imagination of the publisher whose aim was to attract unmerited readership with the glorified falsehood as contained in the publication.
According to him, such incident did not occur anywhere in the state, adding that currently, the eminent Justice Peter Agumagu was hale and hearty.
Adoki stated that that state judiciary holds members of the fourth estate of the Realm in a every high esteem, advised journalists to avoid falsehood, blackmail, and always be patient to cross-check their facts before publishing.
He said that the doors of the judiciary were always open for any journalist in the state to confirm his or her fact when in doubt.
The Chief Registrar used the opportunity to call on the general public to discountenance the said publication as the story was false and a clear misrepresentation of truth.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru (middle) with members of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion Diocese of Okrika, duruing the 4th Synod of the church held at St James Anlican Church, Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, last Saturday