Courts reopen in Rivers State after 2-day strike

Activities at the Rivers State High Court returned to a normal position on Thursday after a 2-day protest by members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Rivers State branch, against the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The judiciary workers and other prison officials with prosecutors were seen among others entering the court premises as at 8:30 a.m with gates widely opened.

Magistrate courts have also commenced sitting as at 9:00 a.m with Judges of the State High Court seen going to their respective courtrooms for the commencement of sitting.

Lawyers and their clients were also seen entering courtrooms to attend to their respective cases, while court clerks remained seated at their positions.

A legal practitioner Dumne Dmbari expressed happiness for the resumption but called on the Federal Government and the Judiciary to handle the Onnoghen crisis with wisdom.

He said that the judiciary must be independent without any interference from any arm of government, except otherwise where the executive needed to play its part.

He, therefore, urged parties in the suit against the CJN to ensure that due process was followed in order not to heat up the polity which had already generated global concern.

Onnoghen’s asset declaration issues and the attendant legal implication resulted in the NBA, at the National level, going on a 2-day protest against his suspension by the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

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