By Simeon Nwakaudu
Access to Justice to resolve societal challenges that border on the very existence of the community defines civility. However, the immediate past All Progressives Congress, APC, administration in Rivers State denied the people of Rivers State access to justice, destroying the fundamentals of the judicial system.
Between 19th August, 2013 and 31st May 2015, the Rivers State Judiciary suffered the worst political onslaught engineered by the immediate past administration in the state. This unfortunate political manipulation led to the crippling of the Rivers State Judiciary and the deliberate destruction of the very essence of the Justice delivery system.
The unimaginable happened during this inglorious era. The immediate past administration in Rivers State in liason with politically motivated officials of the the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) closed the courts for one year. The closure of courts is the worst in the annals of the nation’s political history. Not even during the military era was the judiciary assaulted in the manner the immediate past APC administration in Rivers State did.
The revival of the Judiciary stands out as one of the most outstanding achievements of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike since he assumed office as the elected governor of Rivers State.
Right from the very beginning on the day of his inauguration, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike kick-started the process of rebuilding the battered structures of the state judiciary. On May 29, 2015 after taking his oath of office, Governor Wike in his inaugural address announced the appointment of an Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daisy Okocha and an Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo.
These two key judicial officers were sworn in on the 1st of June, 2015. This was the beginning of the visionary revival of the Rivers State Judiciary.
On Thursday, November 5, 2015, the revived Judiciary in Rivers State, held her first special court session marking the opening of the 2015/2016 Legal Year. This was the first time the event was holding in over two years. The last celebration of a Legal Year was held under the State’s Former Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu whose retirement gave rise to the avoidable crisis.
The opening of the 2015/2016 Legal Year kicked off with a Re-Dedication service at Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Port Harcourt. The service which was presided over by the Archbishop of Niger Delta Province of the Anglican Church, Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey had in attendance Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, the leadership of the Rivers State Judiciary, members of the bench and bar and top government officials.
The Re-Dedication service proper witnessed the leadership of the Rivers State Judiciary making vows to uphold justice, promote access to justice and be fair to all those who appear before them in their respective courts.
After the Re-Dedication service, the process for the commencement of the 2015/2016 Legal Year started in earnest at the State High Complex with the inspection of guard of honour and other outlined ceremonies.
The excitement as all stakeholders welcomed the celebration of the commencement of the 2015/2016 Legal Year was evident .
The Special Court Session marking the opening of the 2015/2016 Legal Year was the highpoint of events indicating the successful revival of the Rivers State Judiciary. The Special Court session held at the Chief Judge’s Ceremonial Court Hall in Port Harcourt on Thursday 5th November, 2015 had in attendance Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the leadership of the Rivers State Judiciary, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justices from other jurisdictions, Senior lawyers, members of the Rivers State Executive Council, the leadership of the bar across Rivers State and hundreds of lawyers.
It was a special court session where all stakeholders declared their support for the achievements of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in the revival of the Rivers State Judiciary. All the stakeholders insisted that the deliberate investments of the Wike administration have led to massive infrastructural and human resource development within the state judiciary.
The Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Daisy Okocha after outlining the challenges the state judiciary faced as a result of political interference under the last era, noted that the critical steps taken by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has ensured the independence of the state judiciary and the development of critical infrastructure in the state justice delivery system.
The State Acting Chief Judge further stated that the success of the commencement of the 2015/2016 Legal Year was a function of the governor’s commitment to the dispensation of justice.
She recounted a long list of projects facilitated by the prompt release of capital funds by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Rivers State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr Emmanuel Aguma, SAN, stated that Governor Wike has already fulfilled the cardinal campaign promises he made regarding the State Judiciary.
He added that the the Wike administration has developed a land titles acquisition framework and also taken steps to improve the Justice delivery system.
Speaking on behalf of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Rivers State, Former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Onueze Okocha commended Governor Wike for rising above the challenges he inherited to rebuild the state’s judiciary.
Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association , Dennis Okwakpam joined in celebrating the the progress made so far by the Wike administration in the revival of the Rivers State Judiciary.
The ovation the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike received during the Re-Dedication service and the opening ceremony to kick-start the 2015/2016 Legal Year of the State Judiciary point to the fact that his commitment to the independence of the state judiciary through necessary investment and policies are appreciated by the bench and bar.
When Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike mounted the podium to address the opening ceremony of the 2015/2016 Legal Year, it became obvious that the judiciary has firmly transited into its glorious era after two years of avoidable turbulence. However, the governor ensured he reminded his listening audience of the dangers of manipulating the judiciary when he copiously quoted Justice Simeon Amadi who delivered judgement on the suit filed by Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi who closed the courts.
Governor Wike told stakeholders of the Rivers State Judiciary that never again will the people of the state be denied access to justice in the form of the closure of courts. He declared that never again will the State Judiciary be compelled to go cap in hand to the executive arm to beg for funds as his administration has instituted self accounting status for the judiciary as well established the independence of the judiciary.
Governor Wike stated that his administration has also released funds to the State Judiciary for capital projects in courts and judicial facilities across the state. According to him, his administration released N350m to the State High Court for capital projects , N150m to the State Customary Court of Appeal and another N200m to the High Court for additional capital projects. He additional capital funds will also be approved for the Customary Court of Appeal.
As a political scientist and lawyer who is very conversant with the importance of welfare and social security for judicial officers, staff of the judiciary and lawyers, Governor Wike announced different categories of welfare packages aimed at encouraging these professionals to serve Rivers State to the best of their ability.
He informed that the administration has commenced the building of a new law centre for lawyers in the state , the construction of a new Federal High Court complex and the execution of other key projects.
Governor Wike announced his approval to the State Acting Chief Judge in consultation with the State Judicial Service Commission to commence the process for the appointment of High Court judges and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal.
The opening ceremony of the 2015/2016 Legal Year for the Rivers State Judiciary was also marked by the presentation of the Rivers State Judicial journal, the Adjudicator.
Indeed the successful revival of the Rivers State Judiciary by the Wike administration has contributed to the development witnessed in the state in the last five months. The entrenchment of the rule of law has led to peace and security, stable economy and overall social growth. Under Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the days of impunity are over. This is a New Rivers State, founded on the principles of fairness, equity and justice.
Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant ( Media ) to the Rivers State Governor.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.