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Adherence To Rule Of Law ’ll Solve Problems -CJN
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghen has declared that all problems of the country would be resolved through strict adherence to the rule of law.
Justice Onoghen also stated that if the country consistently respects the rule of law for four years, the building blocks of development would be firmly in place.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria spoke, last Friday, when he commissioned the ultra-modern National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt Division building constructed by the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.
The CJN also commissioned the Court of Appeal building re-modelled by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Commissioning the National Industrial Court Complex, Justice Walter Onoghen said: “I believe that the solutions to our numerous problems lie in the adherence to the principles of the rule of law. If we do that for four years consistently, you will see that everything will fall back into place.
“The Constitution provides for each and every one of us. It has given us designated and special functions. If we adhere to these functions and discharge them to the satisfaction of our conscience, there will be development.”
He stated that in adhering to the rule of law, people would realise that there were societal taboos.
“For instance, locking up the courts; how can you in a democratic society think of locking up the courts? How can you say that you should deprive the judiciary of its funds, for instance?”, he asked.
He charged judges to be fair, firm and courageous in the discharge of their functions.
Onoghen said: “You know that a man of integrity cannot be intimidated. You don’t expect a man with integrity to be subservient. Sacrifices must be made if we are to come out of the woods”.
He said that the construction of the National Industrial Court by the Rivers State Government was a welcome development, urging other state governors to emulate the Rivers State governor.
“All other state executives should learn from what is happening in Rivers State”, the CJN said.
In his remarks at the commissioning ceremony of the National Industrial Court, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said nothing can be more important to the country than for the nation to secure the independence of the judiciary and ensure that it was no longer threatened by political and other interests.
Wike said: “This is possible if our judges can stand firm on the Constitution under any circumstances and act consistently as morally autonomous agents with unshakable belief in the rule of law, human rights and the shared values of our democracy.
“I declare so because all through history, judicial independence is fought and won by the courage, commitment and vigilance of judges who would yield to nothing in defence of the Constitution and the rule of law.
“The challenge, therefore, is for the Bench and the Bar to resolve to stand firm against all forms of pressures, blatant or subtle, physical or venal, that interfere with, impair or impugn the character and content of judicial decisions,” the governor said.
Wike said until Nigerian judges are able to do justice in the face of threats; apply the law in the face of opposition from the government; resist peer pressures and be seen to be courageous, just and fair, only then can the nation’s judiciary be independent and Nigeria respected among nations.
He noted: “While I congratulate the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the ongoing reforms to strengthen our judiciary, I wish to remind you with respect, that on your shoulders rest the responsibility, hopes and expectations of a truly independent, impartial and proactive judiciary: a judiciary that can do justice even though heaven may fall.”
On the National Industrial Court constructed by his administration, Wike said that the administration was proud to be contributing to the dispensation of justice and making Rivers State the Judicial Hub of the region.
He said: “Against this background, permit me to further reiterate the point that our decision to spend hundreds of millions of naira in building a federal courthouse is not because we have so much money to throw after the responsibility of the Federal Government.
“But the court system, whether federal or state, serves the same purpose, and Rivers people are the primary beneficiaries of the services rendered by these courts, irrespective of ownership.”
In a goodwill message, former NBA President, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) commended the Rivers State governor for his contributions to the dispensation of justice.
President of National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo placed it on record that this was the first time such a developmental gesture would be coming from a state government.
In her remarks, Chief Justice of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra and the Attorney General of Rivers State, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) represented by the state solicitor general, lauded the investments of Wike in the development of the justice sector.
At the commissioning of the Court of Appeal building remodelled by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done at the facility.
Bulkachuwa said though she was initially sceptical about the proposal to remodel the Appeal Court by Wike because at the time, no such remodelling had been undertaken by a state government, she was convinced by the fact that the governor intervened in other federal courts and establishments in the state.
Further speaking, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike explained that the administration resolved to remodel the Court of Appeal because it had degenerated to an embarrassing level.
He said: “And so today, we are happy to have also delivered what is arguably the best and most functional Court of Appeal complex, outside the headquarters building in Abuja to the glory of God and for the progress of our state and the nation.
“With this courthouse delivered, we are the only state government in our country that has directly intervened and provided the most modern courthouses for all existing federal courts in the state; namely, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal”.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onoghen said every right thinking person would appreciate efforts put in place to make the judiciary function optimally.
He called for financial autonomy of state Judiciary across the country, saying that a judiciary driven by integrity cannot be timid.
Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Special Projects, Alabo George Kerley said that the courtrooms, offices and facilities were remodelled in a way that would promote security and performance.
In his goodwill message, former NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN) said Wike has lived up to the expectations of the people as a member of the Body of Benchers.
The two ceremonies were attended by high profile judges and legal practitioners from across the country.
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.