Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has finally sworn in Justice Daisy Okocha as the Acting Chief Judge of the state after over a year of controversy that left a vacuum at the top of the state judiciary.
Wike advised Justice Okocha to discharge her duties without victimizing those against her appointment.
Wike, who is also a lawyer, in a brief swearing in ceremony of the new Chief Judge blamed the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, of not doing enough to kick against the illegalities of the immediate past administration for the prolonged vacuum in the state judiciary.
He also promised to grant financial autonomy to the state judiciary and allow it to perform its role to dispense justice fairly without interference.
The Governor particularly berated the Port Harcourt branch of NBA for announcing just a few days to the end of Amaechi administration, the suspension of Mr. Wogu Boms, the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice whose actions the body alleged fuelled the prolonged crisis in the judiciary.
He said the suspension slammed on Wogu Boms, who was once the Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of NBA was too patronising and little too late.
In her brief response Justice Daisy Okocha pledged to discharge her duties fairly.
She also said she would not allow corruption in the state judiciary under her watch.
The brief ceremony performed in the Executive chambers of the Government House Port Harcourt was witnesses by members of both the Bar and Bench, including, Mr Onueze C.Okocha, SAN, the younger brother of the new Acting Chief Judge of the state and others.
Justice Okocha immediately proceeded to open the State High Court Complex that has been under lock for trekking distance from the Government House.
The National Judicial Commission,NJC,had recommended Justice Okocha for appointment as the Chief Judge of the state,as the most senior High Court Judge, but former Governor Amaechi preferred Justice Peter C N Agumagu,the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal who until his deployment to the Customary Court of Appeal was the most Senior judge.