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Stop Intimidating Judges With Security Operatives, Wike Tells FG
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has asked the Federal Government must stop using security agencies to intimidate and influence judges if it truly believes in independence of the Judiciary.
The governor accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of using the issue of financial autonomy to ingratiate themselves with the Judiciary after years of obvious frosty relationship between them.
Wike stated this in his remarks at the Nigerian Bar Association President’s Dinner in honour of delegates to the 61st annual conference of the NBA in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday night.
The Rivers State governor reiterated his disagreement with the stance of the Federal Government and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum on the issue of financial autonomy for the judiciary.
According to him, confining autonomy for the Judiciary to finance alone,was antithetical to the concept of independence of the Judiciary.
He contended that it is disingenuous for the Federal Government that uses security agencies to bully judges, to direct states to implement financial autonomy for the Judiciary.
“Autonomy is also allowing them (judges) to do what they are supposed to do without you intimidating them. Autonomy is not, give money. Autonomy is, stop using the security agencies to influence them on what to do. We have restricted autonomy to mean where you can award contract. No, that is not autonomy alone.
“Allow them to perform. Allow them to work according to the law and not to tell DSS to come and meet a judge and say look, we hear this is what you people want to give as judgement on this matter. We heard that you have N2.5million in your account. And then the judge says, well, I don’t want to be embarrassed, let me just do it the way you people want it.”
Wike stressed that legislation on financial autonomy for the judiciary was unnecessary because the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria clearly spell out the autonomy of the three arms of government.
In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, observed that some Nigerians have erroneously assumed that governors were opposed to legislative and judicial autonomy.
“There is a certain notion out there that governors are opposed to judicial and legislative autonomy. It’s a false notion. We are not opposed to it; we have done everything to support it. Many of our states have even started implementing it long before Executive Order 10 came to the fore.
“And the position we’ve consistently taken is not so much opposed to judicial and legislative autonomy, but opposed to Executive Order 10 as a vehicle for achieving judicial and legislative autonomy. That has been the bone of contention, and a lot of that has also revolved around the modalities for implementing judicial autonomy.”
He said almost all the states of the federation have enacted legislation on financial autonomy for the Judiciary, and implementation has started in some of the states.
Fayemi noted that the issue of financial autonomy has been controversial in regards to who was responsible for capital funding and expenditure of the courts.
According to him, the NGF was already seeking legal clarification on the matter.
Speaking on security, Fayemi said though states have been at the forefront of supporting the law enforcement institutions, they insist on the need for multi-level policing that should keep the federal police, but should also allow in the Constitution, state police.
Fayemi explained that in June 2020, the NGF declared a state of emergency on gender-based violence, adding that since then, 30 states have enacted legislation on Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, while the remaining six states are in the process of finalising their own legislation.
He commended Wike, who he described as an enigma, defender of the defenceless, for sponsoring and hosting the 61st annual conference of the NBA.
On his part, the Oyo StateGovernor,Engr. SeyiMakinde said lawyers were solid pillar for development in the country.
He noted that as the country move towards 2023 electioneering period, a lot would be happening and lawyers have major role to play.
“Just as you have elected this president, against old tradition, against the old generation. And I can see that you are reaping the benefit of the revolution within NBA. So, I want to beg of you, please, let the same thing happen in Nigeria and we shall all reap the benefit of that.”
The NBA President, Olumide A. Akpata, SAN, observed that Nigeria was passing through a difficult period in her history, and that is why the Bar decided to devote the entire week to seek possible solutions to some of these challenges.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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