requisite infrastructure.
Justice Muhammad made the remark at the commissioning of 20
four-bedroom duplexes built for Judges of Rivers origin serving both in
the State and Federal Judiciaries at the Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma
Judges Quarters in Port Harcourt.
Justice Muhammad who was represented by Justice Mary Odili of the
Supreme Court noted that Judges would be more confident to dispense
justice if they have good shelter and welfare.
“Lagos and Rivers States rank among the most litigious States. The
Implication is that manpower and materials are perennially stretched far
beyond the limit to attend to the large number of cases filed daily.
” That explains the enormity of work before Judges. A good car, shelter,
and good welfare package are some of those things that can serve as a
magic wand to bring out the best from them.
“Whenever we deliberately or inadvertently toil with the welfare of
judicial officers, we are unconsciously inflicting a debilitating wound
on the conscience of the nations.
“We are not ignorant of Governor Wike’s huge investment to improve the
infrastructure of federal courts. You are today also giving to Judges a
life long accommodation on the owner-occupier basis, ” he said.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike said the judiciary would be on a
pedestal of efficiency and productivity with the support given to it by
his administration.
“There is a need to guarantee judicial independence and secure the
effective administration of justice.
“These are the overriding consideration for the unprecedented investment
we have made in our judicial system.
“I cannot think of any State Government with similar welfare scheme we
have made. This will have a profound and positive impact on judicial
officers.
“We have moved our Judiciary from the valley of neglect to an enviable
hilltop of independence, capacity, and effectiveness,” he stated.
Governor Wike said the gesture of the State Government would end the era
when judges retire and have no shelter.
“Given the constitutional restriction on legal practice, post legal
service years could be miserable for judges who were unable to buy or
build their own homes before leaving the service.
“With our policy, the State now bears the full responsibility to
providing befitting accommodation for all judicial officers of Rivers
State origin beyond their service years for life.
“The State Government spent the sum of N6billion to build, furnish,
and landscape this estate. The Government also reserves the interest to
buy back any flat and reallocate to other judges to preserve the
exclusivity of the estate for judicial officers alone.
“Twenty-three Judges opted for cash payment and have been given the
approved sum of N150 million each to build and have their own houses.
Cumulatively, the State Government disbursed the sum of N3.6billion to
the beneficiaries.
“The policy covers all former Chief Judges, Presidents of Customary
Courts of Appeal including Justice Peter Agumagu. All retired Judges who
were in service when the policy was made. The current Chief Judge of
the state will have her accommodation built for her before retirement in
May 2021,” he stated.
In her remarks, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica
Dongban-Mensem noted that the facility would enable judicial officers to
do their work well.
Justice Dongban-Mensem also said that good facilities would make Judges
not to be afraid but to courageously dispense justice without fear or
favor.
According to her, what the Wike administration has done should serve as
a template for other State Governments to emulate to make the working
condition of judges better.
Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra expressed
the delight of Judges to witness another practical fulfillment of
promises made by Governor Wike.
She noted that Judges who live in such tastefully furnished houses would
be motivated to put in their best in the delivery of justice.
Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri said Judges work under
very challenging situations but what they have received from the Wike
administration would assuage it because they can concentrate to do
better.
Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof.
Zacchaeus Adangor said by the gesture, the Wike administration has
enthroned a virile and independent justice system that would enable
judges to work uprightly.
National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Olumide Akpata
said when judges are provided with comfortable living houses and good
welfare, they would perform better.
Speaking for the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Onueze Okocha
noted the foresightedness of the Governor in achieving the feat.
President of the Port Harcourt Branch of NBA, Prince Nyekwere said the
support of Governor Wike to the judiciary would remain unrivaled.
Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Elder Chinedu Tasie Nwabueze
said the project was conceived and executed by Governor Wike for Judges
who would take possession of their houses immediately.
