Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said in the last seven and half years, his administration has diligently supported the judiciary to discharge its constitutional mandate.
He said on assumption of office in 2015, his administration met a judiciary that was at a crossroads.
The governor said the promises his administration made to the people concerning the judiciary had been fulfilled with impressive achievements beyond the imaginations of many.
Governor Wike made the assertion in his remarks during the 2022/23 Legal Year opening ceremony at the Rivers State judiciary complex, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The governor noted that as the third arm of government, the judiciary plays a critical role in advancing the rule of law, justice, and good governance.
“The State High Court had no chief judge, leadership, or direction for nearly two years. The governor then attempted to impose a chief judge on the state outside the due process. When this devious attempt was resisted, he instigated a phantom crisis and closed down the courts until he left office.
“We knew that the ensuing social and economic anarchy would ruin Rivers State without functional courts to uphold and defend the rule of law. Beyond the crisis, we also inherited a judiciary neglected to the hilt, dilapidated and inadequate courthouses, and unpaid salary arrears.
“Our first task was to revive the judiciary and ensure the speedy administration of justice. Without wasting time, we appointed the first female chief judge, reopened the courts and restored judicial services from our first day in office.”
He explained that his administration began rehabilitating the existing courthouses and built new ones for the state high court.
Wike said within the first year in office, he provided new sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to judges as official cars, which have been replaced since 2019 as well as houses.
“We, therefore, enacted the Judicial Officers Housing Scheme Law and took over the responsibility of providing life-long residences for Rivers State judges, including those serving in federal jurisdictions.
“We have since implemented this law by providing 4-bedroom duplexes with appurtenances, including security and regular electricity at the Chinwe Aguma judicial estate, to our judges.
“Similarly, those who opted not to reside in the estate were given an equivalent monetary value to build or buy similar houses.”
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Amadi, commended Governor Wike for his immense support for the judiciary in the State.
Justice Amadi urged lawyers in the State to avail themselves of the benefits of the Multi-door court established to ensure greater access to mediated disputes settlements, especially for the business and investment community.
He explained that the State judiciary generated over N1.2 billion in the current legal year.
