From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

Rivers State governor, Nyesom  Wike, has charged judges to be courageous in the discharge of their duties, even as he declared that his administration  would  continue to promote the independence  of the judiciary  for the sustained growth of the state.

Addressing members of the bench and bar during the State Golden Jubilee Special Court Session yesterday, Governor Wike tasked them  to be courageous as they dispense justice. The governor said that the Nigerian Judiciary has reached a stage where only courageous judges could uphold the rule of law.

He said: “Nigeria has come to a point where if you don’t have courage, justice  will not be done. The judiciary must continue to uphold the tenets of the law.”

He regretted that the judiciary has come under intense blackmail  under the present administration.

“Why is it that only when a matter comes that the Federal Government has interest that monies are found in the account of judges?” he asked.

While affirming the  need to  fight corruption, he condemned the approach, saying that it was politically motivated and  selective.

He suggested the promotion of the welfare of judicial officers to make corruption unattractive for them.

The governor explained   that  his administration has embarked on the construction of Judges’ Quarters,adding that his administration would always work with the  State judiciary   to develop Rivers.

Speaking, the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Lamikanra, commended the governor for the financial autonomy of the judiciary and the independence  it enjoys.

Justice Iyaye-Lamikanra said that the special court session was held to commemorate the 50 years of the existence of the judiciary in the state and also celebrate her contributions.

Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma , a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the Wike administration  has played critical roles in repositioning  the judiciary after  years of turbulence.  The event attracted lawyers from the eight branches of the NBA.

 

… Vows to reclaim  Ikoyi funds 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has  declared that his administration will recover the ‘state funds’ found at an Ikoyi residence despite the antics of the Federal Government.

Speaking  during a special appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Programme, Governor Wike  reiterated that the money stashed at the Ikoyi residence  belongs to the people of Rivers State.

He said the state team of lawyers are already working to ensure that Rivers State  gets back her funds which are proceeds from the sale of the assets of the state.

Recall that Governor Wike had at a press conference explained that the Ikoyi funds  were proceeds from the sale of the assets of the state government by the immediate past Rotimi Amaechi-led administration.

“We will follow due process of the law to get back Rivers State money found at the Ikoyi residence. This money belongs to the Rivers State people. We have conducted our checks.

“We will stun Nigerians with this matter. We will come out with our evidence at the appropriate time”.

The governor said that the state government would not reveal its strategy  to recover the funds because  of the games being played by the APC-led Federal Government.

He said that the politicization of the entire issue of the  fund discovered at the Ikoyi residence, indicate that the Federal Government has  something to hide.

On developments in the Niger Delta, Governor Wike stated that the Niger Delta Development Commission  (NDDC) is working at cross purposes with the region.

He said that the NDDC politicises the process of its execution  of projects which are usually abandoned. He added that the agency deliberately  refuses to liaise with the states before projects  are initiated.

On the PDP crisis, Governor Wike stated that he is supporting Makarfi and that he will wait for the Supreme Court  to state its position. The governor  declared that it is very much unlikely that he will work with Ali Modu Sheriff.

He said: “It is very much unlikely that I will work with Ali Modu Sheriff.  It is not possible for me to stay with Sheriff  .”

The governor  explained that Sheriff has no love for the PDP  as he has continued to work against the party, in liaison  with the APC. The governor alleged that in Benue and Jigawa States APC Government to frustrate the PDP  in upcoming Local Government elections.

On developments in Rivers State, the governor noted that his administration  has entrenched statewide execution of projects.  He said projects have been initiated and executed in 22 out of the 23 Local Government Areas  of the state. Governor Wike said that only local government area, Omuma, yet to have a project, now has a major road contract awarded in the area.

He said that his administration  is developing  Rivers State  as a tourism destination of the country. He said the construction  of the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park is a deliberate action  to promote tourism.

The governor  regretted  that  Rivers State and other Niger Delta states are losing revenue because oil companies  pay their taxes in Lagos, while they operate in the region.

On Rivers at 50, he said that the state has made tremendous progress.  He said that the state appreciates God for being together despite the challenges