Disquiet in Rivers judiciary over nomination of new chief judge

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

There is ongoing squabble in Rivers State judiciary over the nomination of Justice Amadi Chibuzor, who hails from Emohua Local Government Area, as the new Rivers State Chief Judge.

Already, the Accountability Mandate (AM) had petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) describing the nomination as wrong and violation of the norms and tradition of seniority in the judicial system.

The AM observed that Justice Amadi was among the names recommended to the National Judicial Council (NJC) by the state governor but alleged that the eventual nomination of Chibuzor was a deliberate attempt to promote ethnic agenda.

The group in a statement issued and signed by its Coordinator, Stan Stephen, particularly said the move was a violation of section 271 subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

”This nomination and appointment are based on ethnic consideration by Governor Nysemo Wike because he hails from Ikwerre ethnic group to cause disaffection among the officials at the temple of justice,” it said.

The group said based on the hierarchy of judges in the state, Justice Joy Akpughunum was the next in rank to occupy the exalted position as a chief judge.