Rivers gets first female chief judge

Posted by admin Headlines, Rivers, State News Monday, January 4th, 2016

Monday, January 4, 2016

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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, on Monday, sworn in Justice Daisy Okocha as the first female substantive chief judge of the state.

The new chief judge had been the state acting chief judge since June 1 following her appointment shortly after the governor assumed office on May 29.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended the appointment of Justice Okocha as the state chief judge on July 22, 2013, while the Court of Appeal, on December 23, 2015, set aside a Federal High Court judgment which initially ruled that the state governor is not bound to comply with the NJC recommendation.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Wike said the swearing-in of Justice Okocha was a victory for the rule of law and a respect for the rules of succession as outlined by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

He said the state government acted in line with the recommendation of the NJC and confirmed by the Court of Appeal on December 23, 2015.

He added that with the development, it was clear that state governors cannot wilfully disrespect the recommendation of the NJC.

According to him, allowing the judiciary to be subjected to the discretion of sitting governors would desecrate the independence of the judiciary and lead to abuses that would negatively affect the dispensation of justice.

“The system will collapse if we refuse to respect the judicial system of succession as laid out. My administration will never do anything that will threaten the rule of law.

“We will always uphold the customs and traditions of the judiciary. We will never break down the laid down procedure. We will never run contrary to our avowed commitment to respect the independence of the judiciary at all times,” he said.

The governor charged the new chief judge to always uphold the constitution and carry other members of the bench along in the decision-making process.

-Tribunewp_posts