Rivers State Governor Gives Assent To Law Empowering Chief Judge To Assign Cases

Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has signed into law, the Rivers State High Court law (Amendment number 3) which empowers the State Chief Judge to henceforth assign cases to judges. 

This follows the repealing of the Rivers State High Court Law of 2014 passed by the Seventh Assembly which empowered the Chief Registrar of the State High Court to assign cases to judges.

Giving his assent to the new law in the  presence of the full compliment of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the Government House,  Port Harcourt, Governor Wike commended the Rivers State House of Assembly for promoting the rule of law by ensuring that the state returns to the era of best practices in justice delivery.

He said : “ It was a taboo for the Chief Registrar who is just a Magistrate to assign cases to judges. I commend the Rivers State House of Assembly for rising up to the occasion by doing the right thing.

“With the amended law, the Acting Chief Judge can now assign cases to judges as it’s the standard practice.  I am happy that the House has taken the right step in the interest of the people of Rivers State”.

He assured the Rivers State House of Assembly that the State Executive Council will continue to cooperate with them to deliver on the development of the state.

The governor stated that there is so much to be done in Rivers State,  hence the need for cooperation.

In his remarks,  the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Ikuinyi Ibani assured the people of the state that the Assembly will correct all infractions against the people.

He said that the law empowering the Chief Registrar to assign cases was an infraction which the Assembly had to correct.

The bill was formally presented to the governor by the Majority Leader, Mr Martin Amaehule.

Picture : Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike receiving the Rivers State High Court law (Amendment number 3) from the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaehule at the Government House,  Port Harcourt on Friday.  He assented to the law.