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Appointment of Chief Judge: I’ll Not Succumb To Sentiment – Wike

Published

3 years ago

March 29, 2021

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says he will not succumb to sentiment over who becomes the next Chief Judge of the State as he has conveyed to the State House of Assembly the letter of recommendation from the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

Speaking when he received a delegation of Okpo Club of Nigeria on courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said the process of appointment of a substantive Chief Judge is based on constitutionality and not sentiment.

“I have conveyed the NJC’s recommendation to the House of Assembly. I am not the one who recommended, mine is to act on the recommendation of NJC. I never wrote letter to NJC, I am not a member of Judicial Service Commission (JSC).”

Governor Wike in a statement by his Media Aide, Mr Kelvin Ebiri said the names of two most senior judges of the State High Court were submitted by the State Judicial Service Commission to the NJC early in order to avoid the situation of having a Chief Judge in acting capacity.

“Nobody can intimidate me with any kind of sentiment. I will do what is right. We knew the crisis that happened here in this State and people do not want to distinguish it. What was the crisis? JSC submitted Daisy Okocha’s name and Agumagu’s name. Of course, Daisy Okocha was the most senior. But even at that, Agumagu was the President of Customary Court of Appeal. NJC in their wisdom said no, we are going to recommend the most senior judge and recommended Daisy Okocha.

“The then Governor said no, I will not take the recommendation of NJC and went on his own to swear in Agumagu as acting Chief Judge. The Constitution is very clear. It is only the most senior that will be an acting Chief Judge and that was the crisis.

“In this case, there is nothing like acting chief Judge. I don’t want to have acting Chief Judge. I want to do my own thing on time and we did it on time. And JSC in their wisdom submitted two people’s name and NJC recommended one and you are now playing politics that it is the governor.”

The governor said NJC is constitutionally empowered to recommend who becomes a Chief Judge and stressed that it was mischievous for the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and some lawyers to politicise the appointment of judicial officers by the NJC.

He hinted on the possibility of establishing a new Judicial Division in the State, particularly in Bonny, in order to reduce the problems associated with justice delivery in that area.

Governor Wike said the appropriateness of the option will be studied carefully so that the state is not exposed to torturing legal processes arising from having divisional High Courts.

The governor also restated his administration’s stance against politics of exclusion and assured that every ethnic group in the State will benefit from his development projects.

Speaking further, Governor Wike admonished the leadership of Okpo Club of Nigeria to be forthright in leading the association, resist mainstream politics interfering with their activities and ensure all members work as a team.

He also harped on the need for all members to understand the cardinal objectives of the club so that every effort they make will be harnessed towards achieving those objectives.

In his speech, Chairman of Okpo Club of Nigeria, Churchill Wosu said the association has a new executive that should be introduced to the governor who is one of their founding members

Mr. Wosu, on behalf of the association, commended the governor for his leadership courage, and determination to change the infrastructural landscape of the state and improved its socioeconomic status.

The chairman urged the Rivers State government to consider establishment of more divisional High Courts particularly in Obio and Emohua.

Security

5 Dead In Delta Tanker Explosion – Police

Published

18 hours ago

October 1, 2023

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The Delta State Police Command says five persons died with properties including eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars, and one motorcycle burnt completely in an early Sunday inferno, Channels TV reports.

Sunday’s incident happened after a tanker laden with PMS – driving towards Benin along Warri-Benin Road – fell with its content spilling into the nearby swamp.

In a statement, the command’s spokesman Bright Edafe disclosed that the spillage attracted youths who started scooping the fuel into jerry cans and other containers.

While they were at it, he said an explosion erupted and the fire engulfed the area.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has sent his condolences to the families of victims who got burnt in the explosion.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, in Asaba, Governor Sheriff commiserated with the victims’ families on the sad incident.

He disclosed that the State has reached out to help the victims.

Governor Oborevwori blamed the unfortunate incident on the poor state of federal roads, once again calling on the Federal Government to expedite action in reconstructing failed portions of the road.

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Adamawa Assembly To Support Works, Land & Survey Ministries with Requisite Legislations

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21 hours ago

October 1, 2023

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The Adamawa State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Works Energy, Land and Survey says it is committed towards ensuring that the two ministries are backed by law in discharging their duties for overall development of the state.

The Chairman of the committee who is also the deputy chief whip of the house, Hon. Japheth Hammanjabu of Verre constituency stated this when he led other members on a familiarization visit to the headquarters of the ministry of land and survey and that of works and energy development separately.

Japheth Hammanjabu said the purpose of their visit was to understand the progress and challenges being faced by the ministries.

The Chairman revealed that the committee is ready to intervene on any possible review of the current legislative framework under which the ministries operate and make amendments where necessary.

He commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the commissioners of the ministries for the role they are playing towards the progress and development of the state.

In their separately, the Commissioner ministry for land and survey and the surveyor general of the state explained that the ministry and the surveyor general’s office took a holistic assessment of the major land problems in the state after which a work plan was made to that effect.

While appealing for mutual working relationship with house for them to succeed in discharging their responsibilities they also appreciated the committee for the timely visit describing the composition of the members as well deserved.

Members of the committee include the Chairman of the committee Hon. Japheth Hammanjabu of Verre, Haruna Jilantikiri of Madagali who is also the Vice Chairman of the committee and Majority Leader Kate Raymond Mamuno of Demsa, Yerima Moses of Michika, Babangida Muhammad Njidda of Nasarawo Binyeri and Yohanna Sahabo Jauro of Mubi South Constituencies as members.

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Former Speaker Mijinyawa Commends Judiciary As Tribunal Dismisses Petition Against His Victory

Published

3 days ago

September 29, 2023

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The Member Representing Yola South at the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Mijinyawa, has hailed the judgment of the National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Yola which affirmed his victory in the March 18th 2023 election.

The Lawmaker stated this in telephone interview with newsmen shortly after the judgment was delivered on Friday, described the verdict as a victory for democracy and people of Yola South Constituency.

Rt. Hon. Mijinyawa commended the judiciary for upholding the nation’s democra.

According to him “it is as an act of God demonstrated through the people of Yola South who voted him during the March 18th, 2023 general election and went ahead to defend the votes.

The verdict indicated that the resolve of the people did not go in vain.

The judgement is clearly a victory for democracy and the resilient and courageous people of Yola South Constituency.

He said his opponent from People’s Democratic Party PDP had through mere allegation sought a reversal of the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission which declared him as the valid winner of the election.

Kabiru Mijinyawa said with the recent development he will concerntrate on his legislative duties and work towards providing his people with democracy devidends.

He called on the looser to set aside their political differences and work with him in order to move the Constituency forward.

It could be recalled that National /House of Assemnly Petitions Tribunal on Friday, dismissed petition filed against the former Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Mijinyawa.

Rt. Hon. Mijinyawa, who is the present member representing Yola South constituency, was re-eected for the 3rd term under the platform of the APC during the 2023 general election.

Rt. Hon. Mijinyawa , who was speaker of the assembly from 2015 to 2019, was dragged before the tribunal by the Candidate of the PDP, Hon. Adamu Baba Mustapha.

In his petition, Hon. Baba Mustapha alleged that the election held on the 18th March, 2023 is invalid, null and void by reasons of non compliance with the electoral act.

On his part, the former Speaker was of the view that the exercise was in substantial compliance with the electoral act, and that the petitioner did not participate in the election.

He told the tribunal that the petition is premised on pre-election matter and that its lacks jurisdiction to entertain it, and described the petition as incompetent, frivolous and ought to be dismissed in its entirety.