Rivers
Paramount Ruler-Elect Harps On Self Help Projects
The newly elected para
mount ruler of Omofo-Rundele Community in Emohua Local Government Area, Chief Edison Omodu has assured that his reign will usher in the much-desired socio-economic development in the community through collective efforts, open door policies, and peaceful co-existence.
Chief Omodu who spoke to newsmen shortly after he was declared winner in an election which was conducted by the Community Development Committee (CDC) last Sunday said his “priority for now is the restoration of electricity to boost commercial activities, a befitting town hall and road construction to complement the efforts of government.”
The new Eze Nweli Omofo IV, who recorded a landslide victory, polled a total of 184 votes out of 194 votes cast, and another aspirant Chief Mike Obike, who was absent during the election polled 4 votes while 6 votes were voided. Chief T. C. Egbe Chor who was earlier nominated for the throne, stepped down for Chief Omodu. By his election Chief Omodu replaced late, Eze Prof. Edwin Elechi who died in 2012.
Commenting on the election, the CDC chairman, Mr. Innocent Woke described the election as free and fair.
He said that apart from the fact that the election was monitored by security operatives and the media to ensure transparency, the turn out was unprecedented in the history of similar elections in the area.
The chairman said the CDC would work hand-in-hand with the new paramount ruler to ensure rapid development of the community by embarking on self-help projects.
The community’s pioneer legal practitioner Barr. U. E. Okpala who gave the vote of thanks lauded the CDC for the peaceful conduct of the election. He said the victory of Chief Omodu was a call for more service as well as the reward for his philanthropy and benevolence.

A cross-section of Anglican Arch-bishops shortly after a joint province episcopal meeting at Bethel Church, Okrika, yesterday.
Photo: Chris Monyanaga
Jacob Obinna
Rivers
Rivers CJ To Sanction Lawyers Who Refuse To Comply With ADR Compliance
The Rivers state Chief Judge, Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI has given an indication to sanction any lawyer who fail to comply with directive of a judge in the state to transferred a case to Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse for Alternatives Dispute Resolution.
Justice AMADI stated this during a brief ceremony held at the chief judge auditorium in port Harcourt Friday held to hand over certificates of operation to two private ADR chambers on Precarious Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration and mediation center .
He urged the two private ADR centres to be diligent in the discharge of their duties and warned against compromising the standard of Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR but should observed the regulations set out in collaboration regulation by the state Multi Door Court House.
Earlier in a address, the Director of the State Multi Door Courthouse, VICTOR NWEKE esq, highlighted some of the achievements of the Multi Door Courthouse especially in decongestion of court rooms.
NWEKE while disclosing how the department certified the two private ADR centres called for serious punitive measures be taken against any lawyer who fail to comply with a case referred to Multi Door Court House by a judge or magistrates in the state.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of the two certified private ADR centres, ALICE NIMI commended the State Judiciary and Multi Door Courthouse for the approval and assured that all the rules and regulations spelt out will be followed.
In a related development; the Rivers State Judiciary has assured its readiness to collaborate with Nigerian Securityding Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in using Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve some of the issues in their office.
The state Chief Judge , Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI made the promise when he received in audience the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE OLOWO and his team who paid him a courtesy visit in his office , Friday where issuees ADR utilization took centre stage.
He used the opportunity to brief his visitors on the hurdles judges faces daily in the court room and the need for the decongestion of the court room , stressing that one judge handle more than three hundred cases but that if lawyers and litigants adopt ADR practice court rooms can be releive of the daily congestions.
The state Chief Judge however urged NSCDC to ensure a wider sensitization of the members of the public on the practice of ADR for a better awareness and knowledge.
Earlier in his speech, the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE-OLOWO said the visit was to seek collaboration on the use of ADR in resolving some issues which he insisted would help decongest the courtrooms.
Our correspondent reports officials of the Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse led by the Director, VICTOR NWEKE led the team of NSCDC on a technical session where information on how to the fully in cooperated into the Multi Door Courthouse and operation of ADR will be emphasized.
Akujobi Amadi