NBA rejects Rivers Assembly’s probe of CJ, warns against intimidation

The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the Rivers State House of Assembly’s resolution directing the Department of State Services to investigate the  state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, over alleged age falsification.

The NBA described the move as an attempt to drag the judiciary into the political crisis between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the eight branches of NBA in Rivers State, the Chairman of NBA, Okrika Branch, Tamunosiki Roberts, said this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Tamunosiki  emphasised the need to protect judicial independence and adhere to democratic principles in resolving disputes.

He further described what is going on as a dangerous political intrusion into the judiciary, warning that such actions could destabilise the state.

He said, “We are not unaware of the existing political impasse between the Legislature and the Executive arms of government in Rivers State.

“However, we must caution that the judiciary should not be drawn into the ongoing imbroglio for no just cause.

“We reiterate that the independence of the judiciary is crucial to the sustenance of peace and stability in the state, as contending parties ultimately resort to the judiciary for the resolution of disputes as has recently been witnessed at the Supreme Court.

“There is no need to escalate tensions as the stability of Rivers State is crucial to the economy of the State and the country.”

The NBA warned that undermining the judiciary could destabilise the state, recalling the 2014–2015 judicial crisis in Rivers that led to the closure of courts for nearly one year.

“We cannot afford to experience a similar occurrence in the present times we find ourselves in the state, and especially for the interests of the good people of Rivers State to have their on-going matters in court without interruptions.

“The independence of the judiciary is crucial to the sustenance of peace and stability in the state. Any attempt to intimidate or blackmail judicial officers could lead to chaos, which we cannot afford, ” Tamunosiki said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the NBA, Port Harcourt branch, Mrs Cordelia Eke, emphasized that disciplinary matters involving judicial officers fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Judicial Council not the legislature or security agencies.

Eke stated, “Every action in the public service has a prescribed procedure. In the case of the judiciary, only the NJC has the authority to investigate or sanction any judge,”

She called on security agencies to operate within the ambit of the law and avoid being used as political tools.

“The judiciary must not be bullied or pressured into submission. It remains the last hope of the common man, and indeed everyone, including politicians, ” Eke noted.

The association urged all political actors to de-escalate tensions and prioritise the peace and economic stability of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

The Rivers NBA further warned against any attempt to intimidate and urged all parties involved in the ongoing political crisis in the state to sheath their swords and seek peaceful resolutions in the interest of the state and the nation.