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Amaechi Assents To New High Court Law …As Rivers People, NANS Protest NJC’s Action
Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has assented to the State High Court (Amendment) Law 2014 which amended Section 40 of the Principal Law of 2001.
The amendment was passed by 17 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly shortly after a public hearing was held to get public opinion and contribution on the new bill last Wednesday.
Part of the new law states that: “Where the Office of the Chief Judge is vacant and it is impracticable to appoint an acting Chief Judge, or a Chief Judge, the Chief Registrar shall assign cases to any judge and perform other administrative duties until an acting Chief Judge or a Chief Judge is appointed.”
In the same vein, member representing Andoni,Opobo/Nkroro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dakuku Peterside said: “The process has always been for the governor to make recommendations to the NJC, which in turn forwards a name for approval and appointment by the governor. And when the governor refuses, he appoints an acting Chief Judge.
In the case of Rivers State, the NJC wrote to all judges not to accept appointment as acting Chief Judge. The matter went to court and the government got a favourable judgment and then appointed Justice Peter Agumagu as Chief Judge. The NJC suspended him. They have gone ahead to appoint one of the judges as acting CJ. Why is the NJC bent on the appointment of a particular judge as Chief Judge?”
Hon. Peterside, said the protest was to save democracy and ensure that the rule of law was in place.
According to him, no institution of government was above the law in the country.
“What is happening today is that the people of Rivers State are doing everything possible to protect the rule of law and democracy. You can see clearly that our people know that the only way to sustain democracy is to fight for it. We are following due process to ensure we enforce the law,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who also spoke, said the people were protesting the alleged back door appointment of Justice Daisy Okocha as administrative Chief Judge of the state.
According to her, the intention of those behind the appointment was to allegedly use her to impeach the governor of the state with the aid of the anti-Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi lawmakers.
She added that the title administrative chief judge was unknown to law, adding that Rivers people would resist every step to plant undemocratic acts in the state.
She accused Justice Okocha of breaking into the High Court premises last Tuesday, an act she said was unlawful.
Meanwhile, millions of people resident in Rivers state last Wednesday staged a protest in Port Harcourt to register their displeasure over the recent directive by the National Judicial Council (NJC), that Justice Daisy W. Okocha take charge as administrative Judge of the state High Court, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge in the State.
The protesters, marched around the Judiciary complex on Azikiwe Road through Bank Road to the State Secretariat complex before gathering at the Government House gate as they vowed to oppose what they described as “double standard and impunity of the NJC”, in the State.
The Tide learnt that the protesters, who stormed the state capital from the 23 local government areas of the state, besieged the Azikiwe Road by the Post Office Bus Stop as early as 6 am, causing gridlock along the every busy UTC/Lagos bus stop route in the Old Port Harcourt City metropolis
The protesters, who were also protesting against the breaking and entry into the Judiciary complex last Tuesday, by Justice Daisy Okocha, despite the ongoing indefinite strike embanked upon by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Rivers State chapter.
Members of JUSUN had last Tuesday embarked on an indefinite strike action to, among other reasons, protest against what they described as “insecurity at the work places” as well as the consistent bombing of High Courts across the State.
Our Correspondents, who monitored the protest, report that armed Policemen stationed around the Judiciary complex prevented the angry protesters from gaining access into the complex.
The Police team leader, Clement Okonkwo, who later spoke to the protesters, told them that the Police were drafted to the area to maintain peace as well as prevent the breakdown of law and order.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the National Assembly members, the Senator representing Rivers South-East, Senator Magnus Abe said the people cannot accept the imposition of a Chief Judge on the state through the back door by the National Judicial Council.
Senator Abe accused the NJC of politicising the issue of the appointment of the state Chief Judge, adding that the constitution provides that the state governor has the sole powers to appoint a Chief Judge of a state.
“We cannot accept the imposition of an administrative Judge in the state by the NJC. The Constitution is clear on the appointment of a Chief Judge in the State”, he said.
According to him, “the person who NJC purportedly appointed has a brother as a member of the NJC. The people who are to uphold the constitution are the ones destroying it. We will not allow such thing to happen. We will resist those who want to bring ananchy in the State.”
The Senator assured the protestants that members of the National Assembly would support every efforts and moves that would rebuff the alleged undemocratic act of the NJC to foist an acting Chief Judge on the State.
Also speaking on behalf of the 23 local governments of the state, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Oji Ngofa said it was unlawful for NJC to impose a chief Judge on the state, adding that the NJC has usurped the powers of the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Hon. Orji, who is the State Chairman of ALGON, also vowed that the people of the state would not in any way abide by such directive, adding that the NJC’s action has caused monumental upheaval in the administration of Justice in the State.
In a related development, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B, has rejected the imposition of Hon. Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as the administrative Judge of Rivers State judiciary by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The NANS Zone B comprises all the 11 states in the South South and South East of Nigeria.
The association, which said this at a crowded press conference in Port Harcourt also condemned the grounding of the State Judiciary and its resultant delay of Justice in the State.
The NANS Zone B Assistant Secretary General, Comrade Lah Amabu, who read the speech on behalf of the association, said that “the students body rejects in its entirety the action of the National Judicial Council on the issue of a Chief Judge for Rivers State.
“This is alien and not provided for in the constitution of Nigeria. We will oppose all moves that run contrary to the constitution”, he said.
The association, which equally condemned the forceful entry into the State Judiciary complex by Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha when the workers were on strike, also commended the Rivers State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the Rivers State High Court Amendment law which empowers the Chief Registrar of the State High Court to assign cases to Judges in the absence of a Chief Judge.
“We equally hail the courage of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his sensitivity to public opinion and commitment to the rule of law by assenting to the Rivers State High Court Amendment law passed by the State House of Assembly without delay.
“This will relieve litigants in the state and make way for quick dispensation of justice, NANS said.
The students also warned that they will not hesitate to fight against impunity in the State.
Also speaking, a past president of the Student Union Government (SUG), University of Port Harcourt, Mr. Owhorkire Rhino urged politicians to toe the parth of peace as the students will no longer tolerate the continuous violation of the constitution by the political class.
On his part, the Interim Co-ordinator of Youth Network for Democracy, Mr. Aselemi Ibrahim urged the Chief Registrar to swing into action by assigning cases to Judges.
Rivers State indigenes protesting against the imposition of Justice Daisy Okocha as Administrative Judge of the High Court on Rivers people at the state High Court premises, last Wednesday. Photo: Egberi Sampson
Akujobi Amadi & John Bibor
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.