Governor Wike Condemns Involvement Of Judicial Officers In Politics

(From left to Right) Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Wife of the Rivers State Governor Justice Suzette Eberechi Wike, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Adama Iye Iyayi Lamikanra, President customary court of Appea,l Justice Christy Nwankwo, Commissioning the 41 Sport Utility Vehicles presented to Judges in the State Judiciary by the Rivers State Government

A cross section of the 41 Sport Utility Vehicles presented to Judges in the State Judiciary by the Rivers State Government

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Adama Iye Iyayi Lamikanra presenting a car key to Justice Christy Nwankwo the President, customary court of Appeal, Rivers State.

A cross section of the 41 Sport Utility Vehicles presented to Judges in the State Judiciary by the Rivers State Government

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has decried the involvement of some judicial officers in partisan politics.

According to him, this has manifested through comments, special affiliations, body language and palpable commitments.

Governor Wike was speaking at the handing over of 41 Sport  Utility Vehicles to Judges in the State Judiciary as well as seven Judges of the State origin serving in the Federal Judicial Service.

“Adjudication and politics are incompatible extremes hence, no judge can be both and legitimately claim to be an  independent and  impartial  adjudicator.

“Heads of the country’s judicial system  should positively address the identifiable weaknesses and processes that have continued to create room for judicial corruption.

“The transformation agenda in the state judiciary  under my administration is based on the fact that we believe that judges and magistrates who toil  on a daily basis to dispense justice and advance societal peace need to be taken care of.

“Therefore, the rule of law, independence of the  judiciary and  effective delivery of justice  are on the top priority of my administration.

“Even though my administration inherited  a judiciary that was completely neglected and judicial officers were treated with disdain,  we made a commitment to change the  unfortunate narrative”, he said.

The governor noted that only a dishonest character would  deny the pragmatic and purposeful attention  his administration  brought to all facets of the state judicial system in the  last five years.

He announced the completion of 20 purpose-built luxury and fully furnished  Judges Quarters built in fulfilment of his administration’s policy of providing decent life- long accommodation for all Judges in the State.

Governor Wike also said that government would relocate judges who are currently living at highly commercialised environments to befitting secured and serene locations.

He stated that there should be no room for corruption and indulgence among judges taking into cognizance the level of incentives provided for them.

The governor urged the judges to reciprocate government’s gesture by maintaining the highest sense of responsibility, integrity and  productivity in discharging their  duties.

In her remarks, the  State Chief Judge, Justice Adanma Iyaye – Lamikanra noted that Governor Wike has made the state  judiciary the envy of other judiciaries  in the  country in terms of infrastructure and technology.

Justice Lamikanra  expressed the  gratitude of the  State Judiciary to the  governor for the   gesture that would enhance the welfare of judges.

Also speaking, the State Attorney and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zaccheus Adangor said the  presentation of the  official vehicles to the  judges was a demonstration of  the implementation of one of the core values of the NEW Rivers Vision.