…RSG Plans To Enforce No Work, No Pay Policy
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, has bowed out as Chief Judge of the state and will be succeeded by Hon Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, who will be sworn in today, May 26.
The retiring chief judge said that the governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, was non-discriminatory and appointed her Chief Judge even though she was not a native.
She was speaking at a special valedictory court session to mark her retirement as chief judge in Port-Harcourt, on Tuesday.
The outgoing chief judge was appointed Magistrate in 1986, High Court Judge in 1998 and Chief Judge of the state on March 8, 2016 and comes from Agbede in Etsako Local Government Area, Edo State.
The retiring chief judge said: “I never knew God’s ways are quite different from that of humans. The day God destined finally came. He made His instrument His Excellency the governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who had a discerning heart and does not discriminate.
“Not standing on ceremonies and putting aside all the sentiments and prejudices that have troubled this otherwise great nation of ours His Excellency appointed me a Chief Judge on the 8th day of March, 2016”.
She said she was “eternally grateful” to the governor for appointing her chief judge of the state, adding that she was naturally equipped to do her job.
The retiring chief judge also said she made landmark achievements made possible by the governor.
She said her tenure as chief judge enjoyed cooperation from the Bar, the press, security agencies and others and commended the governor for releasing funds for infrastructural development and benefits provided to judges in the state.
She also said that the state judiciary was second to none in human and capital development.
She also said that she worked with passion for the state in the positions she held.
The retiring chief judge however said that she faced challenges because she was not a native.
In a goodwill message, the governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, congratulated the retiring chief judge on her long and successful career saying that she never wavered throughout her “unblemished career”.
He also described her as bold and fearless saying she was not afraid to take up cases and speak judicial truth to them.
The governor said that under her leadership she brought “unmatched progress” to the judiciary saying that there was good relationship between the executive and judiciary and legislature.
Addresses were delivered to praise the outgoing chief judge who retired after attaining the age of 65 and served for 35 years.
The Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Port-Harcourt Branch, Prince Onyekwere, said that the CJ had a long and unblemished career.
Speaking on behalf of Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief OCJ Okocha, said that the retiring chief judge diligently discharged her functions to the best of her ability and said she was never found wanting.
For his part, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Zacchaeus Adango said she ensured speedy dispensation of justice saying that she was also humble, and demystified the office of chief judge.
A representative of the judiciary while extolling her virtues said that she was also a disciplinarian.
Chief Judges from other states attended the special valedictory court session. In attendance were also the President of Court of Appeal, serving and retired Supreme Court Justices and members of cabinet and others.
Meanwhile at the occasion the governor warned that he would implement the no work no pay policy if the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Rivers State branch would not call off its strike this month.
He said there was no reason for the JUSUN to join the strike as the issues in contention did not apply to the state.
He said that the government was already complying with financial autonomy for the judiciary when they joined the strike.
