Wike announces financial autonomy for Rivers State judiciary

swears in Acting  Chief  Judge, Acting  President  Customary Court of Appeal

Rivers  State  Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared  that  the state judiciary will have financial  autonomy  so that it can work  independently without  being muscled by the  executive.

Speaking  on  Monday  while  swearing-in  the  state  Acting  Chief  Judge,  Justice Daisy Okocha and the  Acting  President  Customary Court of Appeal of Rivers State, Nyesom  Ezenwo Wike  stated  that  he will never  starve the  judiciary  of funds as a tool for arm twisting  the  judiciary.

The governor noted that  the  independence  of the Judiciary  is necessary  for  the smooth  running  of government  in the state.

He, however,  expressed  his disappointment with the  attitude  of  the0 Bench during the  crisis  in  the  state,  saying  that  they were divided when they were supposed  to be united to fight the  destruction  of  the  judiciary.

Governor  Wike  also   the lackadaisical  attitude  of the Nigeria  Bar  Association, NBA,  for failing  to defend the legal  profession  in the face of attacks from  a desperate  administration  seeking  self preservation.

“As a lawyer,  I am highly  disappointed  by the action  of  the  NBA.  Something  that you  know is wrong,  but  every one kept  quiet.

“The actions  that the  NBA is taking  now are belated.  Suspending  the  former Attorney-General  is coming  late in the day. They failed to  speak  up when everything was going  wrong. We got to that level  of  decadence  because  NBA  failed  to  act”

The governor  noted  that  he will  always  follow  due process  in appointing  judicial officers,  stating  that  he will never make appointments  on the premise of  self preservation.

He said : “If I believe  in  self preservation, I  would have appointed  my wife acting Chief Judge and the  second  in line who is my in as Acting  President  Customary Court of  Appeal.  But I am a person who  believes  in  due process.  All through  my leadership,  we will  follow  due process  in all appointments  and actions ” .

Responding,  Rivers  State  Acting  Chief Judge,  Justice Daisy Okocha stated that there will be  zero  tolerance  to corruption  under her leadership.

She commended the  governor  for  working towards the  financial  autonomy  of the judiciary.  She noted that  she would  ensure the  revival  of  Rivers  State.

The event  which  will  held at Government  House,  Port  Harcourt was attended  by Judges,  Senior  lawyers and  key  stakeholders  of Rivers State.

Picture  1: Wike  congratulating  Rivers  State  Acting Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Okocha after her swearing-in at Government House, Port Harcourt

Picture 2: Right : Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Daisy Okocha and Acting  President Customary Court of Appeal,  Justice  Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo after they  were sworn in by the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt