Editorial
Task Before Rivers New CJ

The appointment of Justice Simeon Amadi to the position of Chief Judge of Rivers State was finalised last week when he was sworn in by the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike. The occasion took place at the Government House in Port Harcourt and was characterised by the splendour of the flamboyant colours.
Amadi is the ninth Chief Judge in the annals of the state, having succeeded Justice Adama Inyie Iyayi-Lamikanra, who bowed out of service on May 25, 2021, at a special court session after clocking the mandatory 65 years retirement age for judicial officers within that cadre.
As it stands today, Rivers State has nine successive Chief Judges, with the first being Justice Michael Holden, Justice (Chief) Ambrose E. Alagoa, Justice (Chief) Donald Graham-Douglas, Justice K.D. Ungbuku, Justice F.N.N Ichoku, Justice Iche N. Ndu, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha, Justice Adama Inyie Iyayi-Lamikanra, and Justice Simeon Amadi, the current Chief Judge.
Prior to his appointment, Amadi was Chief Registrar and Chief Magistrate and had been a judge of the High Court of Rivers State. Having assumed his duties as Chief Judge, he is no less bound to establish himself instantaneously and to discharge the overwhelming judicial responsibilities entrusted to him.
Given the perceived high level of moral regression in Nigeria, primarily in the judicial system, Amadi needs to establish new agendas for judicial officers. He must not only get rid of corruption, but also address the barriers to the administration of justice. Moreover, he must prove his critics wrong by demonstrating a high level of competence and by adhering strictly to the deontology and the code of conduct of judicial officers.
Unfortunately, the new Chief Judge is coming at a time the nation is faced with unprecedented security challenges occasioned by sporadic acts of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, among others, in virtually every state. Since the times demand a unified response, he should work with the Executive and the Legislature to overcome threats to lives and property. We firmly believe that the judiciary can play a vital role as crucial challenges are addressed.
The war against corruption is another undertaking that calls for concerted action by all branches of government, in particular, the judiciary. As the third arm of government saddled with the responsibility to conduct trials of corruption suspects, we are fully confident that the state judiciary, under Amadi’s leadership, will rise to the challenge and provide the most needed support for the government to address the corruption scourge.
Some indigenes and residents of the state often complain of delayed trials, corruption among court workers, Magistrates and Judges, including other very worrisome issues. These grievances are genuine and are expressed regularly, sometimes leading to calls for the dismissal of affected staff or Judges. We urge the Chief Judge to address those concerns with the required speed they deserve. The perennial and seemingly intractable challenge of the slow pace of trial in our courts should be equally resolved.
An extraordinary legacy that Amadi can leave behind is the immediate establishment of a special committee to review salaries and allowances of judiciary staff. These workers are the engine room upon which the justice system relies to ensure the efficiency of the sector. But for so long, they have been set aside. Most of the staff work in very bad conditions of service and have not been promoted for years, making them vulnerable to litigants who might want to circumvent due process.
Consequently, the workers’ allowances such as clothing and housing, among others, should be reviewed urgently too. If that happens, Rivers people will see an improved judicial system. The institution also needs to be more proactive and should not wait for officers to engage in a corrupt act when it may be possible to prevent the commission of that act. It is therefore necessary to establish an inspection unit in the establishment to address such matters.
As the head of the judiciary, the Chief Judge should realise that the key to everything in a democratic framework is respect for the rule of law. There lies the solution to many of our problems. As such, he must encourage the financial independence of the third arm of government to ensure the rule of law. If everyone realises that, it will be beneficial to all.
Consistent with the Governor’s admonition, we urge the new head of the third arm of government in the state to be extremely courageous while discharging his duties and resist attempts to be influenced. As a leader, Amadi must develop a team spirit and work in harmony with other Judges and the full complement of staff. He has to learn from and not perpetuate the mistakes of his predecessor.
Under Justice Amadi, judges in the state should embrace global best practices directed towards speedy dispensation of justice, such as the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and other case management techniques in handling cases in their courts. While we strive to end unnecessary adjournments, improvements should be made to the quality of justice delivery through the use of information and communications technologies.
The Rivers State judiciary administered by the current Chief Judge is fully expected to imbibe best practices that will ensure smarter and better ways of dispensing justice, particularly considering that the Nigerian judiciary is fast taking giant strides at reforms. It is incumbent on Amadi to ensure that all judicial officers of the state conform to this modern trend.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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