The Deputy Governor of
Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said the confirmation and swearing-in of another female, Justice Christy Gabriel Nwankwo as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal is a fulfillment of Governor Nyesom Wike’s promise to give women opportunity to achieve their potential under his administration.
Banigo, in a statement issued by her Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, said the swearing-in of a substantive president of the Customary Court of Appeal few weeks after the 2nd female state Chief Judge, Justice Adama Inye Iyayi-Lamikanra was sworn-in, demonstrates the political will and sagacity of the governor to recognize professional excellence and enhance the capacity of the judiciary to discharge its duties.
The deputy governor also described the recent conferment of a live membership of African Bar Association Council on the governor as a testimony of his immense contributions to the progress of the Judiciary.
She noted that Wike, shortly on assumption of office, took steps to revive the Judiciary that was in comatose occasioned by the political interference of the previous state government.
The deputy governor observed that the government has continued to guarantee the independence of the judiciary by creating an enabling environment for judicial officers to perform their duties, entrench transparency, equity and fairness in the appointment of judicial heads in the state.
Banigo described Justice Nwankwo as a competent Judiciary officer, adding that her appointment was based on merit, and urged her to justify the confidence reposed in her.