CJN Probes Judges over Rivers Crisis
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has begun move to probe the conflicting judgments on the political crisis in Rivers State.
A competent source said the judicial officers involved, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and that of Rivers State have been summoned to appear before a panel of the National Judicial Council, NJC.
It will be recalled that conflicting court orders trailed the Local Government Area election that was held in the state recently.
While the court in Abuja barred security agencies from participating in the electoral process, another court in the state gave the nod for the election to hold, even as it ordered the provision of security for the exercise.
Likewise, while the court in Abuja recognized the Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, on the other hand, a high court in the state gave the faction led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, who are on the side of governor Siminalayi Fubara, the legal imprimatur to continue to conduct legislative affairs of the state.
It was gathered that the heads of the courts and the judges involved in the conflicting orders, would explain themselves before a panel that would be headed by a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal.
Even though the NJC had yet to issue a statement on the matter, however, a top source at the Council confirmed on Monday that the CJN had aken steps to address the ugly situation.
“What I can tell you is that the CJN is deeply worried about the whole situation and it is a standard procedure for the NJC to query the judges and heads of their respective courts.
“Remember that the CJN is barely a month in office and she had on many occasions, expressed her determination to wield the big stick against erring judicial officers.
“I can assure you that any of the judges found to have acted wrongly would be severely punished.
“As for the composition of the panel or when the judges will appear for questioning, I cannot say.
“The proceedings will be held in camera, even though the Council will make its findings public at the appropriate time,” the source added.
