News
Use Alternative Means To Accelerate Cases Disposal In Family Court -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has advocated the need for the Judiciary to seek legal audacity that would accelerate cases before the Family Court even when prosecutors develop cold feet over cases being handled.
Wike gave the advise when he formally inaugurated the Rivers State Family Court at the High Court Complex in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The Rivers State governor also unveiled the “Family Court Rules, the Guide”, and the book is titled, “The Child, Ethics and the Law: A Simplified Law Guide for Children and Young Persons.”
Wike noted that often, prosecutors clandestinely withdraw prosecution of child’s rights abuse cases, which frustrate the case, and justice to the child denied, eventually.
To forestall such situation, he urged the Judiciary to do everything possible to achieve the essence of establishing the Family Court, which was to engender child-friendly justice system that treats children with dignity and fairness.
“As usual, nobody knows what may happen, but is there no way the legislature could say that in case the prosecutor is not coming for a case, the court, when I say the court, I am not talking about the presiding judge, but the Judiciary, could on their own by funds available, hire another prosecutor(s) so that these cases do not die.”
Wike spoke on hindsight of experience of what often transpires and why prosecutors discontinue most cases of child abuse.
The governor stated that children suffer a great deal of defilement at early age, but the lack of interest of prosecution to pursue such cases to logical conclusion serves as another form of injustice to children.
“Children, they suffer, most of them are defiled at their early age. Some people (lawyers) cannot stand firm to say that, look, I will not accept this, that I must prosecute the matter to the last to see that there is justice.”
Wike pledged his support to what the Family Court truly represents, even if its establishment was coming about 13 years after the state House of Assembly first domesticated the Child’s Rights Act in 2009.
He advised against the attitude of giving excuses which could hamper the operations of the court now that the state has joined the league of states that have Family Court.
“Frankly speaking, I am fully in support, and I have to thank God. Students and pupils are here to see that every hope is not lost. You have an opportunity to see that justice is being done, and I believe that with the presiding judge and his colleagues that will be working in the Family Court, they will make sure that justice is not only done but will be seen to have been done.”
In her speech, the presiding judge of the Family Court, Hon. Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, explained that the essence of child-friendly justice was to re-orientate and rehabilitate vulnerable children.
The court, she said, would also reintegrate; bring relief and redress to the child, and not inflict corporal punishment or hardship on the child, no matter the delinquency.
“Under this system, the court is obliged to listen to children, consider their views, and ensure their participation and protection in the process, whether as victims, witnesses or offenders.”
Justice Nyesom-Wike further said that since joining the bench in 2012, she had desired to ensure that there was a justice system, which guarantees the effective implementation of all children’s rights at the highest attainable level.
However, she noted that the journey to what has been actualised today did not start until two years ago, despite the domestication of the Child’s Rights Act by the Rivers State House of Assembly in 2009.
“Apart from the lack of political will, the Rivers State Child’s Rights Law of 2009 was fundamentally defective and incapable of triggering the jurisdictional competence of a Family Court in the state, even if the state had wanted to establish such a court.
“Additionally, the textual errors, omissions and repetitions in the Rivers State Child’s Rights Law 2009 were so severe that the 2021 amendment could not cure and resolve the legal stalemate.
“Besides this, after 13 years, and with some changes occurring in our justice system in Rivers State, Nigeria and the world over, a review of the law was necessary for the benefit of our children.”
Justice Nyesom-Wike stated that presently, the Family Court functions in Port Harcourt with four jurisdictions; two High Court judges and two magistrates.
According to her, it was expected to spread to all the 23 local government areas to ease access to justice across the state as the need arises and resources allow.
“The court will be age-appropriate, speedy, and diligent. It will also focus on the child’s needs; respect the right to due process and the right to private and family life.
“It will also be accessible to all, including litigants, lawyers and non-lawyers who have the right to participate and personally conduct their cases in the court.”
In his address, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, explained that the Rivers State Judiciary has furnished and equipped a befitting place for use as the Family Court.
He said the Judiciary was now set to commence appropriate Family Court proceedings at the High Court and Magistrate Court levels in tackling designated cases.
On his part, the Attorney General of Rivers State and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, lauded the establishment of the Family Court, and said it was another reckonable feat in the administration of justice in Rivers State.
Former president, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onueze C.J. Okocha, SAN, and Chairman, NBA, Port Harcourt branch, Barrister Victor Benibo, delivered goodwill messages on behalf of Body of Benchers and NBA, respectively.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor
-
News2 days agoNigeria Recorded Two World’s Deadliest Terror Attacks In 2025 –Report
-
Politics2 days agoEid-el-fitr: INEC Urges Staff Discipline Ahead Ekiti, Osun Guber Polls
-
Editorial2 days agoThumbs Up For Sit-At-Home Reversal
-
News2 days agoPerm. Sec Pats Rivers NUJ On The Back
-
News2 days agoExplosions Rock Lagos, C’River, Kill One, Injure 40
-
News2 days agoFubara Hails Umah Ukpai’s Contributions To Global Christian Evangelism
-
Education2 days agoOpobo Kingdom moves to incorporate Ibani Language Into School Curriculum, Takes Off April
-
News2 days ago
Etche Monarch Alleges Death Threats, Assault