Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to deduct State funds on behalf of State judiciaries, under the purported Executive Order 10, is illegal and ill-advised.
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Governor Wike said if the decision is implemented, more problems would be created and this will hamper the independence of the judiciary.
He stated this during a special court session organised to mark the opening of 2020/2021 legal year of the Rivers State judiciary in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The governor argued that the action of the Federal Government constitutes yet, another clear breach of the constitutional powers of the governors to manage state resources in a federal system.
According to him, the Federal Government could not legitimately claim to be more interested in the progress of state judiciaries than the governors of the respective states, particularly Rivers State.
The governor stated that independence of the judiciary is not only about finances, but the ability of judicial officers to write judgements without the fear of being harassed by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) or the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Governor Wike said, while the issue of inadequate funding for the judiciary has been a recurrent challenge preventing the judiciary across the nation from enjoying practical autonomy and efficiency, the situation in Rivers State under his administration has been different.
He, however, took a swipe at the chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Port Harcourt branch, Prince Nyekwere, for alleging that some persons were extrajudicially killed by the military, in the aftermath of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) killing of six soldiers, four policemen, and destruction of all police stations and Court buildings in Oyigbo.
He wondered why the NBA, that is yet to make a formal submission to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the State to probe the atrocities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), will without evidence allege extrajudicial killings in Oyigbo.
The governor lauded the State Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iyaye-Lamikanra, for her illustrious service and commitment to the progress of the judiciary in the State.
He stated that people had opposed to her elevation as the Chief Judge based on her status as a non-indigene, noting that fortunately, she has vindicated the government’s decision to support her appointment.
“As the Chief Judge, you have been honest, effective and transformational. Under your leadership, the judiciary developed effective cooperation with the executive and the legislative branches of government to secure, strengthen and advance the administration of justice”, he stated.
In her remarks, the Chief Judge, Justice Iyaye-Lamikanra, lauded Governor Wike, for providing the state judiciary the needed funds to ensure people have unhindered access to justice.
She condemned the destruction of all court buildings in Oyigbo by members of the outlawed IPOB, describing it as a setback for dispensation of justice.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adangor, said his ministry as an institutional stakeholder in the justice sector, will continue to cooperate and collaborate with the State judiciary and other stakeholders in driving the necessary reform and improving the administration of justice.
Earlier, there was a rededication church service that held at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral Church, Port Harcourt, where Governor Wike took the first lesson, while the second lesson was taken by Justice Iyaye-Lamikanra.
In his sermon, the Archbishop of Port Harcourt Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Sunday Agwu, admonished on the need for the judiciary to continue to uphold the truth, fairness and justice without compromise.
He noted that most judicial officers devote more time pursuing financial gratifications in order to deliver justice to favour the highest bidders to the detriment of the poor.
Archbishop Agwu reminded them to do self evaluation on this occasion of rededication service, so that they could resolve to confidently check the excesses of the other arms of government and contribute their quota to building a virile society.
Governor Wike was accompanied by his wife, Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Senator Sam Anyanwu and several other dignitaries.
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