Court rejects NJC recommendation on Rivers CJ MARCH 18, 2014 The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has rejected the recommendation of National Judicial Council that Justice Daisy Okocha remains the most qualified judge for appointment as Rivers State Chief Judge. The State Government has gone to court to seek the interpretation of section 271 (3-5) on the appointment of a Chief Judge of the state. It will be recalled that the office of the state chief judge had remained vacant since the retirement of the former CJ, Justice Iche Ndu. But delivering judgment on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Justice Lambo Akanbi, said the reason put forward by the NJC for recommending Okocha was wrong and not enough to appoint her (Okocha). The NJC had claimed that Justice Daisy was the oldest High Court judge and as such, more qualified to be appointed as the state chief judge. Akanbi stated that the NJC should not use constitutional authority to effect illegality. He said the fact that Justice Peter Agumagu was the Chairman of the Customary Court of Appeal before his appointment as the state chief judge was not enough reason for him (Agumagu) to be disqualified. Making reference to the situation in Kwara and Osun States where judges were withdrawn from elsewhere and appointed chief judges, Akanbi added that Rivers’ case would not be different. According to him, “It is the duty and responsibility of Rivers State Judicial Service Commission to advise the NJC on the most suitable candidate to enable it make proper recommendation to the governor for a choice of chief judge.” Akanbi stated that the governor (Ritimi Amaechi) was neither a robot nor a rubber stamp to accept anybody recommended by the NJC, maintaining that he (Amaechi) has a choice.punchng/news/court-rejects-njc-recommendation-on-rivers-cj/
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 18:01:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015