Wike Declares Financial Autonomy For Rivers Judiciary

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the state judiciary would have financial autonomy so that it could work independently without interference from the executive.

Wike said this on Monday in Port Harcourt, while swearing in the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Okocha and the Acting President of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo.

He stressed that the independence of the Judiciary was necessary for the smooth running of the government.

Wike, however, expressed disappointment at the Bench and the Bar in the state for the roles they played in the crisis in the state judiciary. He stated that if they had collectively taken a stand, the state would have been saved the pains of the protracted closure of the judiciary.

Wike also expressed disappointment in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). “As a lawyer, I am highly disappointed by the action of the NBA. Something that you know is wrong, but everyone kept quiet.”