The Senate has resolved to investigate the
invasion of a High Court in Rivers state.
Recall that Some suspected loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on May 11, stormed the State High Court in Port-Harcourt and barred judicial officers, judges, lawyers and litigants from gaining access into the court complex.
The thugs also destroyed court properties worth millions of naira, an act which was perpetrated in the presence of the police, especially those of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS).
Moving the motion, Senator representing Rivers West, Osinakachukwu Ideozu , who described the act as “brazen act of lawlessness”, said that Police failed to provide adequate security for the premises and the judicial workers, litigants, lawyers, judges, among others, but rather prevented legitimate access to the offices, precincts and
courtrooms in an attempt to obstruct, if not pervert the course of justice.”
Ideozu expressed worry that nearly one week after the attack, the Police was yet to make any statement on the assault on the
Rivers State judiciary and have not made any arrests despite the condemnation
that followed the event.
The Senate, thereafter, resolved to mandate its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the infraction and report back within two weeks.
It condemned the attack and commiserated with the Chief judge, judges and staff of the judiciary of Rivers State.
Earlier, the Nigerian Bar Association
had condemned in its entirety the attack on the premises of the State High Court, Port Harcourt.
Omubo Frank-Briggs while addressing
newsmen at the NBA House Port Harcourt, described the attack as a calculated
attempt to ridicule and undermine the integrity and power of the
judiciary.
Frank-Briggs who spoke on behalf of the chairmen of the eight branches of the
Association in Rivers State, pointed out that the judiciary should be seen as the last hope of the common man and should not be joined into political partnership.
He therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police to constitute a high-powered special investigation into the matter and ensure that the culprits and their sponsors are made to face the law.
He sympathized with the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra on the dastardly act, which according to him, is targeted at diminishing the integrity and confidence of Rivers people in the state judiciary.
Frank-Briggs however warned politicians and their aids not to as a matter of
necessity involve the judiciary in any political issues within them but rather
settle their differences within the ambit of the rule of law in accordance to
the already laid down court procedures.
