From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has charged the new Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi, to be firm, courageous and surpass the achievements he is inheriting from his predecessor.
Wike gave the charge at the swearing in ceremony of the Chief Judge at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He stated that one best way to be reckoned with as a successful judge is for him to be decisive about speedy delivery of justice processes.
The governor said this could be done by making sure that case files are not only assigned, but actually treated and dispensed with and judgement given based on the merit of the case.
Governor Wike said such fate is also a hallmark of judiciary independence that is being clamoured for.
He said: “Please, let everybody work with you together. If anybody does not do his duty, you are the Chief Judge, you know what to do. Do not panic.
“Show that you have leadership. Whether the person was your class mate or not, is immaterial”.
The governor advised the new Chief Judge not to be afraid of petitions against him either from individuals or from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) because such petitions and animosity could be without the facts, or justification.
He urged Justice Amadi to discharge his duties in a manner that would make the state proud as it was under his predecessor.
He said: “Anywhere I go, in Abuja, they talk about my (former) Chief Judge. I still want you to maintain that relationship.
“Let people talk about you, maintain a cordial relationship with your colleagues outside and at home too”.
Governor Wike also assured that his administration will continue with the robust relationship established with the judiciary under Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, which has also been the situation with the legislature.
He stated: “Whatever is meant for the judiciary, we will not look back in doing it. I have said here, we will continue with the financial autonomy.
“The one I will not agree to, is that the judiciary should go and submit budget to the State Assembly. There is no law that says so”.
Governor Wike told him to set out a timeline of achievement and be ready to show evidence in the next six months of assumption of duty.
“You’ve been a Magistrate and Chief Registrar, so, you know what administration is all about. Try as much as you can to surpass the achievements she made.
“So you too will have to say, while you were in office that this was what you did”.