City Crime
Rivers State Judiciary And Access To Justice
According to Black’s Law Dictionary (nin-th edition) Access to Justice is “the ability within a society to use courts and other legal institutions effectively to protect one’s rights and pursue claims.”
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) considers access to justice as “the ability of people from disadvantaged groups to prevent and overcome human poverty by seeking and obtaining remedies through the justice system, for grievances in accordance with human rights principles and standards.”
Access to justice is an important aspect of the rule of law without which its tenets become moonshine. It is the lever with which any given justice system revolves. Indeed, access to justice is so important that it has become a basic right.
Unfortunately, many governments really do not understand that they sound rather hypocritical when they claim to maintain the rule of law without access to justice.
When there is access to justice, aggrieved individuals or parties can go to court and get remedies for civil or criminal wrongs meted against them: where there is a wrong, there is a remedy.
The insistence by Nige-ria’s apex court, the Supreme Court that processes be filed electronically to engender interactions or communications between it and practicing lawyers is a welcome development. Electronic filing if properly followed, is expected to facilitate justice administration.
Again, this development is laudable as it has narrowed the chances of impersonation by non-lawyers.
It is important to note that speedy dispensation of justice is one of the cardinal principles of the rule of law. This is because justice delayed is justice denied. But the e-filing in the state has been fraught with so much delay. Filing a motion exparte as a matter of urgency has become difficult under the new arrangement.
Access to justice is hindered or denied when there is unreasonable delay in bringing issues of urgent attention to the court. Delay defeats equity and makes nonsense of injunctive remedies. Under the present e-filing regime there is an unreasonable delay in the assignment matters to courts.
Section 17(2) (e) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended provides thus: “independence, impartiality and integrity of courts of law, and easy accessibility thereto shall be secured and maintained. “
Despite the express provision of the constitution, access to justice has been whittled down by many factors in Nigeria’s judicial system. One of the problems facing our judicial system is corruption. Many judges are corrupt and justice is for sale to the highest bidder. That is why judges in different courts with coordinate jurisdiction often churn out contrasting judgments on the same subject matter without compunction about abuse of court processes.
Many members of the Port Harcourt branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have complained of the high cost of filing processes electronically at the Rivers State Judiciary’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) Centre and the delay it has occasioned.
The process of procuring justice must be affordable because if it becomes expensive and unaffor-dable, the aim of justice for all is blatantly defeated.
Justice Black said “there can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a man gets depends on the amount of money he has.”
The cost of litigation has worsened the plight of the common man who seeks remedy for either civil or criminal wrong.
A Port Harcourt based lawyer and human rights advocate, Chinoye Okoha Esq, who spoke with The Tide in Port Harcourt at weekend said, “e-filing is causing untold hardship to practicing lawyers.”
Mr Okoha explained that the purveyors of the e-filing might have had a good intention about the process but expressed surprised that nothing had been put in place to ameliorate the hardship faced by lawyers.
He described the process as satanic and expressed shock that even the purveyors hadn’t done anything to better the situation.
The Port Harcourt lawyer remarked that e-filing was a major impediment to access to justice.
Mr. Okoha noted that lawyers went through excruciating and harrowing experience to make e-payments.
He urged the leadership of the NBA to do a feedback on e-filing to the authorities of the Rivers State judiciary so that they could chart a way out of the lock jam.
He said access to justice would continue to be hindered unless the NBA confronted situation frontally and squarely.
He expressed regret that even affidavits at the Rivers State Judiciary could only be obtained by electronic means which often delayed or denied citizens’ access to justice.
Also speaking, another Port Harcourt based lawyer, Chijioke Agi Esq remarked that e-filing had blocked valuable income for practicing lawyers and averred that NBA was not doing anything to change the scenario.
He said that it was unfortunate that the bar was suffering and smiling in its present predicament.
“Everyone knows that this experiment isn’t working yet nobody wants to do anything,” he stated.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that the bar is having it rough under this e-filing regime but everyone is keeping quiet. We can’t continue like this”, Agi said.
Today access to justice in Nigeria remains a mirage so long as independence of the judiciary is a far cry. Access to justice can only be guaranteed when the judiciary is truly independent.
Justice Chukwudifu Oputa JSC (in blessed memory) in capturing the elusiveness and hopelessness of justice in Nigeria put this way; “In his search for justice and redress resulting in the effectuation of his rights, the ordinary citizen of Nigeria is caught up in the mess of rather vicious circle.”
Unfortunately, in Oputa’s time the tumour of lack of access to justice was benign but it has grown steadily to become malignant in the present time.
It is hoped that concerted action by the Bar and Bench will salvage our already decadent judicial system and restore access to justice.
By: Chidi Enyie
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The Nigerian Navy says it has acquired more than 100 warships and boats since its establishment 70 years ago.
Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command off (NAVTRAC), disclosed this during an interdenominational church service to mark the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary in Onne, Rivers.
Zipele described the anniversary as significant, noting that the navy had demonstrated resilience, dedication and commitment to its constitutional responsibilities since its inception.
He said the navy, established in 1956, had grown into an elite fighting force that had effectively protected Nigeria’s territorial waters from both domestic and foreign threats.
According to him, the Nigerian navy started in 1956 with 11 ships bequeathed by the (British) Royal Navy, but today we have over 100 ships and boats in our fleet.
He added that in spite of the successes recorded over the years, the navy was still acquiring more platforms, including warships, helicopters and drones, to further strengthen maritime security.
The naval boss revealed that the navy had successfully curtailed piracy in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) for more than three years.
“The achievement has restored investor’s confidence and improved commercial activities within the maritime sector”, he said.
Zipele noted that the navy had performed creditably with available resources in protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters and maritime interests.
He said the establishment of an air arm unit had further strengthened operations aimed at securing the nation and the GoG.
According to him, although the navy has recorded notable successes, it can not secure Nigeria’s vast territorial waters alone.
He explained that the size of the nation’s maritime domain necessitated collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance security operations.
“The government adopted a ‘whole-of-society’ approach because the Nigerian navy cannot be everywhere at the same time”, he said.
Zipele listed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and Tantita Security Services among agencies supporting maritime security efforts.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the navy with improved operational resources and equipment, and lauded the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, for boosting morale within the service.
The naval boss advised prospective recruits willing to join the navy to understand that military service required sacrifice and patriotism.
“There is no greater sacrifice than laying down our lives for our country”, he said.
He added that the Armed Forces remained actively engaged in operations against banditry, terrorism, oil theft and illegal bunkering across the country.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
In legal philosophy, silence is often romanticized as wisdom. But within the law of evidence, silence may carry a very different implication — it can amount to an admission. This thought-provoking paradox forms part of the intellectual reflections of Professor Chris C. Wigwe, SAN, an accomplished legal scholar whose contributions to legal education and jurisprudence continue to shape conversations within Nigeria’s academic and professional legal circles.
Professor Christian Chizindu Wigwe stands among the distinguished figures produced by Nigeria’s legal academy. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and seasoned scholar, he built a reputation for intellectual rigor, disciplined scholarship, and principled leadership in the study and teaching of law.
His academic journey reflects the making of a global legal mind. Wigwe obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School where he qualified for the Nigerian Bar. His quest for deeper scholarly engagement later took him to the United Kingdom, where he earned a Master of Laws degree from Middlesex University and subsequently a PhD in Public International and Economic Law from the University of Leeds.
These academic attainments did not merely decorate his curriculum vitae; they laid the intellectual foundation for a career that has consistently bridged theory and practice within the legal profession.
Over the years, Professor Wigwe has distinguished himself in the fields of jurisprudence, international law, criminal law and the law of evidence. His scholarship reflects a deep interest in how legal systems respond to economic realities, international cooperation and evolving global norms.
Within Nigeria’s university system, his name became closely associated with the Faculty of Law at Rivers State University in Port Harcourt, where he served as Dean from 2022 until November 2025. His tenure coincided with renewed conversations about strengthening legal education and positioning the faculty for global competitiveness.
Under his watch, the faculty intensified efforts to deepen research culture, strengthen postgraduate training and pursue partnerships capable of elevating the institution’s standing among law faculties in Africa.
Professor Wigwe also consistently emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration and alumni support in sustaining academic excellence. In public engagements, he urged graduates and stakeholders to support universities in building research centres and scholarship opportunities for students.
That perspective reflects his broader understanding that legal education must go beyond classroom instruction. For Wigwe, the development of law faculties must be anchored on strong research infrastructure, vibrant intellectual discourse and international engagement.
Beyond administrative leadership, he has remained an active contributor to legal scholarship through books and research publications. His works cover diverse aspects of legal theory, international institutions and corporate law practice.
Among his notable publications are texts such as Legal Research Methodology and Practice, Introduction to Company Law and Practice, and scholarly works exploring the economic dimensions of international institutions and monetary law.
These contributions have become reference materials for students and scholars seeking a deeper understanding of legal research and the dynamics of international economic law.
What distinguishes Wigwe’s scholarship is his ability to situate legal principles within the realities of global economic systems. His writings frequently interrogate how international institutions exercise power and how developing economies can navigate complex legal frameworks within global trade and finance.
Such perspectives have increasingly become relevant in a world where international law influences domestic economic policy, cross-border transactions and global governance.
Within the classroom, colleagues and students often describe him as a meticulous teacher who believes that legal reasoning must be sharpened through intellectual discipline and ethical responsibility.
His academic philosophy emphasizes the importance of integrity in the legal profession. For him, legal education must produce not only technically competent lawyers but individuals whose character can withstand the ethical demands of justice.
This emphasis on integrity resonates strongly within the Nigerian legal system, where the credibility of institutions often rests on the moral courage of those entrusted with authority.
Indeed, Wigwe’s professional life reflects the principle that law is not merely a technical craft but a moral enterprise aimed at preserving fairness and order in society.
His elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria further affirmed his standing within the legal profession. The SAN rank, often regarded as the pinnacle of legal practice in the country, is reserved for practitioners and scholars whose careers demonstrate excellence and integrity.
Yet, beyond titles and accolades, his legacy lies in the countless students he has mentored over decades of teaching.
Across courtrooms, law firms, government institutions and international organizations, former students continue to carry forward the intellectual and ethical lessons instilled during their time under his tutelage.
Mentorship remains one of the most enduring contributions of any academic. Through it, knowledge is transmitted across generations, shaping the legal culture of a society.
Professor Wigwe has consistently viewed mentorship as a responsibility rather than a privilege. For him, the success of students represents the true measure of a teacher’s impact.
His leadership style within academia reflects calm authority rather than flamboyance. Colleagues often describe him as a scholar who prefers substance over spectacle, focusing on institutional growth rather than personal acclaim.
This disposition aligns with his belief that universities must remain centres of reason, inquiry and ethical reflection.
Beyond the walls of academia, Professor Wigwe’s influence extends meaningfully into community life. His dedication to secular and communal activities has earned him admiration within his hometown of Isiokpo.
Recognizing his contributions to community development, leadership and social cohesion, the people of Isiokpo honoured him with a traditional chieftaincy title — a cultural recognition reserved for individuals whose lives exemplify service and integrity.
The honour reflects the deep respect he commands not only as a scholar but as a community figure committed to the welfare and progress of his people.
Traditional institutions in many African societies remain important custodians of culture, identity and moral leadership. When communities confer chieftaincy titles, they are often acknowledging a life lived in service to collective advancement.
For Professor Wigwe, this recognition underscores a broader philosophy that scholarship should not exist in isolation from society.
Rather, knowledge must translate into service — guiding communities, strengthening institutions and inspiring future generations.
The influence of scholars like Wigwe becomes even more significant in societies navigating complex governance challenges. Legal scholars provide the intellectual frameworks through which institutions interpret constitutions, enforce rights and resolve disputes.
In this regard, the Nigerian legal system continues to benefit from the contributions of academics who combine scholarship with practical insight.
Figures such as Professor Wigwe represent a bridge between legal theory and real-world governance.
Such individuals are invaluable to both national and international institutions that require legal minds capable of navigating complex regulatory and diplomatic environments.
The global legal community increasingly recognizes that expertise in international economic law, institutional governance and evidence law is essential for addressing contemporary challenges.
From trade negotiations to international arbitration and human rights enforcement, the need for scholars with strong analytical foundations has never been greater.
Nigeria, like many developing nations, possesses a reservoir of intellectual talent within its universities. However, such expertise is often underutilized in global governance spaces.
Scholars with the depth of experience and credibility of Professor Wigwe deserve broader platforms where their insights can contribute to shaping international legal discourse.
Positions within multilateral organizations, international arbitration panels, global academic networks and legal reform commissions could greatly benefit from the perspectives of scholars who understand both local realities and global legal frameworks.
The strength of any legal system ultimately depends on the integrity and intellectual courage of those entrusted with responsibility.
When individuals who embody these virtues are elevated to positions of trust, institutions become stronger and public confidence grows.
Professor Chris C. Wigwe’s career illustrates the enduring relevance of scholarship grounded in integrity, intellectual discipline, community service and responsible leadership.
In a time when public institutions require credible voices capable of guiding policy with wisdom and ethical clarity, figures of his calibre stand out as valuable assets not only to Nigeria but to the wider international community.
Ultimately, the story of Professor Wigwe is not merely about academic achievements or professional titles. It is about the quiet but powerful influence of a scholar committed to the ideals of justice, knowledge, community service and ethical leadership.
And in the long arc of legal history, it is often such scholars — patient builders of institutions, mentors of generations, and respected sons of their communities who leave the most enduring imprint on the pursuit of justice.
King Onunwor
A top management official of Rivers State University has described the recent allegations against a lecturer of the institution as a calculated witch-hunt aimed at tarnishing the image of both the academic and the university.
The management source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, maintained that the allegations bordering on the purported use of a forged appointment letter were misleading and failed to reflect the true circumstances surrounding the lecturer’s employment history.
According to the official, the university has an established administrative structure for recruitment, documentation and confirmation of staff appointments, stressing that no employee could remain in service for years without due verification by relevant departments.
The source explained that the matter had already attracted internal scrutiny and preliminary findings did not support claims being circulated in some quarters against the lecturer identified as Dr. Dike Harcourt Whyte.
He noted that the lecturer had continued to discharge his academic responsibilities diligently and had not been indicted by any panel or court of competent jurisdiction over the allegations.
The management official further alleged that certain individuals were sponsoring petitions against the lecturer due to personal disagreements and internal rivalries unrelated to the university’s academic standards.
He expressed concern that attempts were being made to drag the name of the university into avoidable controversy, especially at a time the institution was making significant progress in academic development, research and infrastructural expansion.
The source reiterated that the university administration under the Vice Chancellor remained committed to fairness, due process and the protection of staff members from harassment, intimidation and malicious attacks.
He stated that the institution would not act based on public sentiment or social media pressure, but would instead rely on verifiable records and official procedures in addressing any matter involving members of staff.
The official also warned against the spread of unverified information capable of causing reputational damage to individuals and the university, noting that such actions could undermine public confidence in the institution.
Meanwhile, some staff members who spoke in defence of the lecturer described him as a committed academic who had contributed positively to teaching, research and mentorship within the university community.
They therefore called on the public to disregard what they termed a smear campaign against the lecturer and allow the university authorities to handle the matter professionally and in accordance with established regulations.
When contacted, Whyte declined comment, but said on the University authority has the legal right to speak on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Vice chancellor of the University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi, in his response said he was not the VC when Dr. Whyte was appointed.
“I wasn’t the VC when he was appointed. He was appointed several years ago; and I am not aware of any petition against his appointment”, he said.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi stressed that he had requested a meeting with the petitioners as part of efforts to investigate the allegations.
“How come I just became Vice Chancellor and they are writing a petition? To investigate the petition, I have requested to meet with the petitioners,” he said.
King Onunwor
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