Rivers CJ Impasse: Amaechi Lawyers Parley

The outcome of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s meet
ing with the five branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) last two weeks continued to generate reactions, even as stakeholders in the judiciary have supported the governor’s call to meet the incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) towards  resolving the matter.
Governor Amaechi had met with lawyers on how to resolve the stalemate over the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge of the State, which led judicial workers to down their tools following a directive from the National Judicial Commission (NJC) for the appointment of an administrative judge.
While the state government had maintained its stance following a court judgment which upheld the appointment of Justice Peter Agumagu, the NJC had failed to obey the ruling.
But last week, some concerned lawyers spoke to Government House reporters on the need to tow the governor’s suggestion that the matter be taken to the incoming CJN for review.
Justice Nwabueze condemned view of the Public Relations Officer of the Port Harcourt branch of the NBA, Angus Chuku, noting that the five branches have agreed to explore the view of Governor Amaechi.
Since lawyers are the ones directly affected, he noted that it was the business of the NBA to resolve the impasse. Vincent Macfredo faulted the view of Chuku pointing out that the Port Harcourt NBA spokesman was playing politics with the matter.
In the word of Macfredo, “if the governor has opened his hand for the NJC, I think that is commendable one,” while condemning the judicial council for meddling the process.
For his part, another lawyer, Ibiene Amachree, described the legal impasse that led to the closure of the courts as unfortunate. He picked holes in the directive by the NJC stopping judges to take appointment and asking Justice Daisy Okocha to act as administrative judge.
Amachree maintained that it was high time the courts were opened to allow justice to be administered, emphasizing that the Port Harcourt NBA public relations officer cannot be bigger than the whole of NBA members who supported the governor’s view.
In the same view, William Arugo submitted that lawyers have lost huge economic resource by not attending court due to the strike. He suggested the need to explore the suggestion made by Governor Amaechi.
“If we get a middle around, I know the governor will shift ground, “Arugo said, while dismissing the view of Angus Chuku, whom he said expressed his personal opinion not binding on the entire bar.
Also last week, Chairperson of Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue, Mrs Onene Osila-Oshoko dismissed claim that the state revenue was dwindling. She said rather the state was witnessing increased revenue payment, but that toward the end of the year, there are fluctuations as many companies pay upfront.