Rivers
Andoni Monarchs Suspend Splinter Groups
In an effort to sustain and enthrone lasting peace and stability in the area, the Andoni Area Council of Traditional Rulers has suspended all the splinter groups operating under the aegis of Andoni Bureau Council with immediate effect.
The Acting Chairman of the Andoni Area Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State, King Aaron Miller, Okan-Ama Town announced the suspension while briefing journalists after the council’s meeting in Port Harcourt, Monday.
Miller said the dissolution of the splinter groups led by Barr Rollins Nte and Benson Imie became imperative following the activities of the bureau in recent times which negate the reason for which the bureau was set up in the area by the traditional rulers.
According to him, the bureau was set up in 2021 by the traditional rulers following a request from the youths to the council which was approved , adding that the bureau was to cordinate and mediate between the oil companies operating in the area with regard to empowerment of the youths from the local government area.
The King said such was to promote and sustain a robust peaceful relationship between the companies operating in the area and their host communities and indeed the entire Andoni Local Government Area.
Miller however, said the activities and operations of the bureau in recent times have become a departure from the original purpose for which it was constituted, adding that the suspension will be lifted after the traditional rulers have looked at the developing issues in the bureau.
He, therefore, directed security agencies and the companies operating in the area to take notice of the suspension order and stop any dealing with the groups until further notice.
It therefore, appealed to the people of the area to continue to uphold peace and unity as well as support the present government at the local and state levels in their quest to bring lasting peace in the area.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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