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RSG Promises Funding For Justice Odili Judicial Institute
The Rivers State Government has restated its unwavering commitment towards funding the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute for its optimum performance and to function effectively in line with its establishment.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, stated this while delivering his goodwill message during the opening session of the three-day workshop organised by the state Judiciary for newly appointed Judges of the State High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal held at the institute’s Auditorium in Port Harcourt, recently.
Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute was established by the state government through a legislation to train and retrain judges, magistrates and other judicial staff in the state.
The governor who was represented at the occasion by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, commended the management of the institute for living up to their mandate by organising the workshop, adding that the institute was established to train judicial officers.
Wike explained that the institute was not established to compete with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) but to compliment their role in ensuring that judicial officers are trained and retrained for effective performance.
“The institute is established by law, functions set out in Sections 6 and 7 to train and retrain judicial officers to perform their duties. It is not to compete with the NJI but to compliment their functions,” he stated.
Governor Wike used the opportunity to congratulate the newly appointed judges on their appointment, and urged them to pay rapt attention to the various lectures during the three-day exercise, adding that it is the only way to reciprocate state government’s huge support to the centre.
Also speaking, the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, described the workshop as a step in the right direction.
He said that the theme of the workshop: “Towards excellence in the dispensation of justice in Rivers State”, was apt in tandem with the innovations and programmes so far initiated and carried out by the state Judiciary for promotion of justice delivery in the state.
According to him, the centre was like the intellectual arm of the state Judiciary with the core mandate, among other functions, to conduct courses for all categories of judicial officers and their support staff, to expand and improve their overall knowledge and performance as well as organise annual conferences for judges, magistrates, chairman and members of the Customary Court of the state Judiciary.
“Expectedly, at the end of the workshop, your lordships’ orientation and overall conduct as judges will improve or change for the better, as your lordships will be exposed to the tenets and niceties of the code of conduct for judicial officers of the federation. Generally, the ultimate beneficiary will be the administration of justice by all and sundry in Rivers State”, he stated
By; Akujobi Amadi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene