Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused the National Judicial Council of being “a willing tool” of intimidating judges “who are simply discharging their duties”.
The governor made the claim at the book presentation entitled: Contemporary Essays on Law & Practice in honour of retired Justice Anwuri Ichegbu Chikere of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt
Wike noted that when judges are subjected to “summary trials” and preconceived indictment by the agency, judicial independence is eroded.
According to him, the NJC may be joining the league of unholy forces working against the independence of the judiciary and judicial officers.
He said, “My candid opinion is that the National Judicial Council must thread with utmost caution in matters of judicial complaints and discipline lest it wittingly or unwittingly turns itself into another bully to be feared rather than being respected in its roles as both the headmaster and guardian angel of the nation’s judiciary.”
He further noted that no democracy can survive without a courageous, efficient and effective judiciary.
“There was also a time when our judges were respected all over the world for their independence, courage and credibility.
“Again, time was when decisions from Nigerian courts were widely accepted and celebrated across the world as timeless models of judicial precedents.
“But today, what is your candid assessment of the character and integrity of our country’s judiciary, which is becoming more confusing and painfully contradictory.”
Wike, however, commended the few judicial officers who were keeping hope alive with their extra-ordinary courage.
He said their exemplary fidelity to the rule of law and strong determination to ensure that justice was not only done, but seen to have been done in matters that come before them, depict that all hope is not lost.
Acknowledging the fulsome years of meritorious judicial service of Justice Chikere, Wike said, as a judge, the celebrant demonstrated absolute independence of mind.
Wike also noted that Justice Chikere exhibited excellent judicial temperaments of being calm always, courteous and compassionate towards everyone, including her colleagues, lawyers and litigants in or outside the office.
Earlier, Wike had attended the Valedictory Court Session at the Federal High in Port Harcourt organised in honour of Justice Chikere.
Speaking at that event, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, represented by Justice Binta Nyanko, noted that Justice Chikere served the Judiciary meritoriously from the bench for 19 years with her health and integrity intact.
Justice Tsoho said keeping pace with a long judicial career in Nigeria was no mean task, saying that Justice Chikere weathered the adversities and challenges successfully.
“As we gather to celebrate this outstanding judicial officer for her years of impressive service to the nation, the occasion evidently climaxes the fame attribute that excellence and selfless service are virtues worthy of emulation.
“Hon. Justice Chikere is notably calm and collected, and is much like a mother to many colleagues. As a Christian, she is fervently adherent to the tenets of Christ, especially, love for humanity. She has been remarkably humble, peaceful, friendly, humane, honest, generous, incorruptible and hardworking.”
On his part, the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, said the highly rewarding and fulfilling career of the celebrant started on January 17, 1986, when she was employed into the Rivers State Civil Service as State Counsel 11.
He said, with dint of hard work, Justice Chikere enjoyed impressive career progression to become acting director of Civil Litigation on July 14, 1998, before taking up the duties of a bencher at the Federal High Court.
“My Noble Lord distinguished herself on the bench by her brilliant rulings and judgements, firm control of her proceedings, and fairness to legal practitioners and litigants who appeared before her. My Noble Lord is known to be fearless and courageous judge who dispensed justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”
President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Apata, represented by the Port Harcourt Branch Chairman of NBA, Prince Nyekwere, described Justice Chikere as a quintessential and consummate judge, who without indulging in frivolities, discharged her duties fairly and retired without blemish on her service records.
Speaking on behalf of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), former President of Nigeria Bar Association, O. C. J. Okocha, acknowledged that Justice Chikere was reputed to be diligent, hardworking and fearless in her dedication to judicial functions with untainted record.
In her response, Justice Anwuri Chikere said her sojourn at the Federal Judiciary made her a better person.
She expressed gratitude to the former state Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, who was accompanied by his wife, Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court, for allowing her to be transferred from the State Judicial Civil Service to the Federal Judicial Service, and to her husband, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ken Chikere, for the many encouragements he gave that helped her to become a successful judicial officer at the bench.
NEWS
