By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
As the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, bows out from the bench, Governor Nyesom Wike admitted that the state was aware of the agreement among the Federal Government, the Governors Forum and JUSUN on the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislative branches across the country.
He however threatened to stop the payment of salaries of the state’s chapter of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) if its strike exceeds the month of May.
He frowned at the continued strike by JUSUN, particularly in Rivers State, saying there was no basis for the strike in Rivers because the judiciary was already enjoying financial autonomy and improved staff welfare.
Speaking during a special court session in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of Rivers State, Wike said he would not allow the state judiciary to submit its budget directly to the State House of Assembly.
“We would therefore neither set up any new implementation Committee because it’s simply unnecessary nor allow the state’s judiciary to submit its budget directly to the state House of Assembly in breach of extant fiscal policies and regulations that regulate the state’s budgeting process.”
Governor Wike criticised the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for instigating unnecessary tension in the state over the appointment of a Chief Judge.
He also lambasted the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) for making ‘misguided noises’ on gender equality because a woman was not recommended by the National Judicial Council to succeed Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra.
He maintained that in the appointment of an Acting Chief judge, the most senior judge in the hierarchy remained an absolute condition, adding that the condition was not the same in the appointment of a substantive chief judge.
Wike said: “Apart from the basic qualifications, sound character, ability to lead and work harmoniously with colleagues, hard work and willingness to take on challenging cases without a penchant for returning files for reassignment on flimsy excuses are some of the accepted dispositional requirements for such very important appointment.
“At any rate, the state Judicial Service Commission could not have recommended a judicial officer who has become notorious for returning case files for reassignment on flimsy excuses to the prime position of chief judge.
“No one should have expected the State’s Judicial Service Commission to recommend for appointment as chief judge a judicial officer who had promised to reopen disciplinary cases already dealt with and reinstate persons duly disciplined for corrupt practices and abuse of office.
“And no one could have convinced the State Judicial Service Commission to recommend for appointment as a chief judge a judicial officer who had promised to work with the political opposition to make the upcoming political transition process very turbulent and difficult for the state.”
He praised Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra , described her as a bold, fearless and courageous judge who resisted political pressures and halted the sitting of the kangaroo judicial panel of inquiry set up by the previous governor to indict his political reputation on spurious charges and fabricated facts.
He stressed that under the leadership of Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra the state’s judiciary effectively enjoyed both administrative and financial autonomy never before experienced in Rivers state.
The governor presented to the outgoing chief judge the certificate of occupancy of a new deluxe home built for her by the state government and keys for a brand-new sports utility vehicle and a Hilux van.
In her remarks, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra said she would eternally be grateful to Wike, who made it possible for her to emerge as the 8th Chief Judge of the state despite being a non-indigene.
According to her, “Not standing on ceremonies and putting aside all the sentiments and prejudices that have hobbled this otherwise great country of ours since its founding. His Excellency, as if against the run of play, appointed me the chief judge on 8th day of March, 2016, making me the second non-Rivers indigene.”
She described the JUSUN strike as uncalled for because the state judiciary was currently enjoying full financial autonomy and urged the striking workers to call off the strike in the interest of dispensation of justice.
