The Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Chinedu S. Maduba, has raised concerns over the prolonged absence of a substantive Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State, warning that the vacancy is having significant consequences for justice administration and business activity across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the nine NBA branches in Rivers State during the opening ceremony of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary in Port Harcourt, Maduba called on the state government to urgently fill the position, citing its importance to the day-to-day functioning of government.
He explained that the absence of a substantive occupant has led to a backlog of applications requiring Attorney-General consent, including those for fiats and nolle prosequi, directly hampering the administration of justice. According to him, the situation is not only affecting legal practitioners but also costing the state valuable revenue and delaying public access to justice.
Maduba added that the vacancy has similarly slowed business activity tied to proper land documentation, underscoring that its effects extend well beyond the legal profession into the broader state economy. While acknowledging the government’s past efforts to nominate an Attorney-General, he urged the governor to resolve the matter and appoint a substantive officeholder as soon as possible.
He went on to outline specific needs raised by various NBA branches across the state. The Port Harcourt Branch is seeking improved security around the High Court premises and parking areas following reported vehicle theft affecting lawyers and litigants. The Isiokpo Branch is requesting two additional courtrooms each for the Customary Courts in Isiokpo and Rumuji, an additional Magistrate Court, improved sanitary facilities at the Isiokpo High Court, and a raised perimeter fence around the court premises.
The Okrika Branch is pushing for proper Customary Court buildings in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo LGAs, as well as completion of its branch secretariat, while the Okehi Branch is calling for more personnel at the Magistrate and Customary Courts in Etche, furniture for various Customary Courts, and urgent renovation of court buildings and facilities. The newly created Oyigbo Branch, meanwhile, is seeking government support to build its secretariat.
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Maduba noted that the Judiciary could address many of these demands more effectively with full financial autonomy. He also called for an increase in the number of High Court judges to ease pressure on the bench, pointing out that some judges currently handle more than 30 cases daily and over 400 cases in their overall dockets.
The NBA Chairman further urged the Judiciary to expand its use of technology, strengthen case management, cut down on unnecessary adjournments, and improve the electronic filing system, while also calling for reforms in criminal justice administration and better welfare support for law officers, including payment of outstanding statutory allowances and car grants.
The NBA also commended Rivers State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, for reforms already implemented in the Judiciary, including strengthened e-filing, reduced Multi-Door Courthouse fees, and the introduction of the State Plea Bargain Guidelines. The Association called on the Bar and Bench to continue working together to ensure faster justice delivery and restore public confidence in the judicial system.
