Rivers
Don Wants Strict Law On Corruption
A Professor of Law at the
University of Benin, Professor Epiphany Azinye says stringent legislations remain the most effective means of curbing corruption in Nigeria.
Speaking at the public presentation of the compendium of Nigerian laws on Corruption, Economic and Financial crimes written by Mr Chuma Chinye, a member of the Rivers State Executive Council said last Saturday in Port Harcourt, Professor Azinye said it beholves relevant authorities to churn out laws that will help to fight corruption in the country.”
The university don, who was the book reviewer, said that the compendium which contains 27 laws in two volumes will provide generality of Nigerians with opportunity to acquaint themselves with relevant antigraft laws.
The author of the book, Mr Chuma Chinye who is also the Rivers State Commissioner for Ccommerce and Industry, said that the book presentation was in celebration of his 50th birthday, contributions on laws against corruption and economic crimes.
Chinye described corruption as a plague that has kept the nation backward after over 50 years of independence, and decried the lip service being paid to the menace by persons in position of authority.;
The commissioner said that Nigeria must learn from the example of the United States of America which was able to overcome corruption through relevant legislations.
Also speaking, the former secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Emmanuel Akumaye, described the compendium as a publication of immense importance to the nation’s legal system.
He said that although the subject is new in our Jurisprudence, its contributions to the war against corruption would be unrivalled.
The event was attended by various dignitaries including the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru.
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