Sequel to the crisis rocking the Rivers State judiciary, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the action of the National Judicial Council, NJC in appointing an administrative Chief Judge in Rivers State in person of Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting/congress read by Comrade Lah Amabu, the NANS zonal Assistant Secretary General for and on behalf of the students/youths community at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt stated that such appointment was not provided in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigerian stressing that the NANS and the youth community will oppose all moves that run contrary to the constitution. It condemned in its totality the grounding of the state judiciary and its resultant delay of justice in the state, “We equally condemned the forceful entry into the State Judiciary Complex, even when the workers are on strike. We expected that the first thing any well meaning person, judicial officer or law enforcement agent should do in this circumstance is to work towards workers resumption from strike and not to forcefully break in. It commended the Rivers State House of Assembly for speedy passing the Rivers State High Court Amendment Law which empowers the Chief Registrar of the State High Court to assign cases to judges in the absence of the Chief Judge.
He equally hailed the courage of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his sensitivity to public opinion and commitment to rule of law by ascenting to the Rivers State High Court Amendment Law passed by the State House of Assembly without delay which the students said will relieve litigants in the state and make way for quick dispensation of justice.
According to him, NANS will continue to defend democracy and the rule of law in the state without fear or favour and will not hesitate to fight against continued impunity in the state, “we say enough is enough Rivers State must be in peace”.
Similarly, Comrade O. Braimo one of the student leaders condemned impunity by the Federal Government.
He warned Federal Government under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan to leave Amaechi alone and urge Port Harcourt/Abuja based politicians to relax in Abuja if they are tired of politics and not to disturb Governor Amaechi.
