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Amaechi Tasks Judiciary On Unity
The Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has called on the judiciary to sustain the unity that the profession enjoys among its members in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the call Friday in his goodwill message during the formal inauguration of Saakpenwa Judiciary Division of the state judiciary in Tai Local Government Area of the state.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Sports, Mr Fred Igwe lauded the state judiciary for acknowledging the government’s effort for providing the enabling infrastructures for the judiciary.
He stated that there was no other way to bring justice closer to the people than to establish judiciary infrastructure across the state and congratulated the new judges on their recent appointments.
In his address, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iche N. Ndu said the Saakpenwa Judicial Division was created on 1st July, 2011 through an instrument known as the Rivers State of Nigeria, Saakpenwa Division Notice 2011, by the state governor pursuant to Section 39(2) of the High Court Law Cap. 62, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 2001.
According to him, the law stipulates that the governor, on the recommendation of the Chief Judge, may divide the state into Judiciary Divisions and the Chief Judge shall thereupon direct one or more judges to sit in each of such divisions adding that the inauguration of the new court has increased the judicial divisions in the state to eleven.
The State Chief Judge stated that the new judicial division will hear civil and criminal matters, other cases and matters arising from the towns and villages in Tai local government area of Rivers State adding that the state judiciary had broadened the frontiers of justice delivery since the inauguration of Oyigbo Judiciary division in 2008.
Justice Ndu however said provision of the necessary infrastructures and facility for the administration of justice is the responsibility of the government adding that the state government has creditably lived upto its own expectations in that regards.
He used the opportunity to thank governor Amaechi for his numerous supports to the judiciary in the state as well as the Tai Local Government Area for the donation of the land.
Earlier in his speech, the State Solicitor-General, Barrister Richard N. Godwin who stood in for the state Attorney-General at the occasion noted that the inauguration of the Saakpenwa Judiciary Division would save the people of the area from the burden of travelling for a distance in search of justice.
He commended the state Chief Judge, Justice Iche N. Ndu, for his leadership landmarks in the state judiciary and commended the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for approving the new court.
The State Solicitor-General used the opportunity to sue for mutual understanding between members of the bar and bench adding that the judiciary most live up to its responsibility in the society.
There were good will messages from the state NBA, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rivers State chapter and the Tai Local Government Council.
Akujobi Amadi/Laticia Opusunju