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Stakeholders Hail Rivers High Court Amended Law
Stakeholders in the state have hailed the Rivers State High Court (Amendment Law 2014) as proposed by the State House of Assembly.
At a public hearing held last Wednesday at the Ministry of Justice Auditorium, Port Harcourt, the stakeholders made up of lawyers, traditional rulers and politicians, submitted that the amendment had become necessary to salvage the judiciary and move the state forward .
They lamented that justice administration and adjudication has suffered in the past months over the politicization of the judiciary in the state.
The bill sought to amend the Rivers State High Court Law of 2001. Section 40 of the principal law was amended to have a new sub-section 2 which reads thus, “ 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”.
The law sought to fill the void created by the logjam over the appointment of Justice Peter Agumagu, even when the court had ruled that such powers reside in the governor.
Making submissions on the bill, Senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Magnus Abe, pointed out that all extra appendages attached should be expunged.
For him, the conditions should be explicit to avert legal knots in the future.
Also speaking, member of the National Assembly representing Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dakuku Peterside submitted that the amendment had become necessary since the society is dynamic.
“ The constitution envisages a situation where laws can be made and amended “, he said.
He pledged the support of members of the National Assembly to the new bill, while adding, “ the bigger picture of what we are doing here today is for the administration of justice…We totally agree with amendments proposed and we cannot continue to obstruct the administration of justice, and if we don’t do it, our people will suffer.”
He went on to argue that “ the core reason is because there is intent to create mischief by some judicial institutions”.
A legal practitioner, Udu Eyiba had earlier commended the vision of the House of Assembly for coming to the rescue, adding that laws are for man and not man for law. “
He further pledged the support of lawyers to the bill, saying it was timely.
A traditional ruler, Chief Vincent Chuku said the amendment had long been awaited, emphasizing that the absence of a Chief Judge could lead to a break down of law and order.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and former House of Representatives member, Igo Aguma, in his opinion, said the bill and the action of the House shows that democracy was growing.
He argued that the doctrine of separation of powers provides for each arm to intervene during a logjam.
“What is going on now in Rivers State is healthy…It will enhance our democratic culture, but while that is going on, the business of the ordinary man should not suffer,” he said.
Aguma maintained that the law is what is needed now to stabilize the state, and flayed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which has supported the call for an administrative judge as recommended by the National Judicial Council(NJC).
Similarly, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms had welcomed the amendment, arguing that citizens cannot continue to suffer in accessing justice while the crisis continues.
Boms stressed that, ‘ the hiatus in the judiciary cannot continue. We have a Chief Judge who has been illegally suspended.
“In the case where the situation becomes difficult, ‘’ he observed, the amendment becomes necessary to enable lawyers and judges carry out their duties.
He added, ” the assignment of cases is not a judicial function but rather administrative”.
Speaking earlier, Deputy Speaker, House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee who represented the Speaker, said the House was rising to its duty to salvage the judiciary, and expressed hope that the inputs will go a long way to make the law effective.
Explaining why the House was embarking on the amendment, Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Barrister Golden Chioma held that since the law was made by the House, it was only the House that can amend it and not the National Assembly as claimed in some quarters.
He further stated that the public hearing is to “add flesh” to the amendment by getting the views of the public on the bill.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.