The eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, Rivers State chapter, has called on the state House of Assembly to desist from any attempt to drag the judiciary into the ongoing political crisis in the state.
The NBA in a statement it issued in Port Harcourt was reacting to the recent resolution of the House directing the Department of State Security (DSS) to investigate the alleged age falsification of the Rivers Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, reports The Nation.
The NBA in the statement said it was unfortunate that despite the already heated polity in Rivers, the lawmakers were still escalating the tensions in the state with such resolutions.
The statement was signed by Mrs. Cordelia Eke, NBA Chairperson, Port Harcourt; Mrs. Dr. Hilda Desmond Ihekaire; Ahoada; Simple Dioha, Isiokpo Branch; Abiye A. Abo, Chairman, Degema; Dr. N. A. Duson, Chairman, Bori; Dr. Celestine N. Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi; Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Chairman, Okrika and Ekeledinichukwu Ordu, Chairman, Omoku.
The NBA said: “We recognise the constitutional powers and roles of the three arms of government in the state. We also recognise the need for these arms of government to work in synergy for the peace, progress and development of the state. Thus, there is need for mutual respect amongst all the parties.
“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”.
The NBA said there was no need to escalate tensions because the stability of Rivers remained crucial to the economy of the state and the country and recalled the ugly incidences of 2014 – 2015 that resulted in the closure of courts in the state.
The NBA said: “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 ongoing matters in court without interruptions.
“Every action in the public service has a prescribed procedure which all should respect and observe to forestall chaos and anarchy in the state. In the case of judiciary, any complaint against one of its officers is dealt with by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which alone has the authority to carry out any disciplinary action or authorise any investigation against any judge.
“The role of security agencies is clearly defined, and they also must respect due process and work within the ambit of the Law. It is therefore, advised that the Judiciary should not be intimidated into succumbing to blackmail, bullying political pressure in the discharge of their duties”
The NBA called for the protection of the judiciary saying it remained the last hope of the common man including politicians.
“We continue to appeal to all contenders to sheath their swords and genuinely seek peace in the interest of Rivers State and the economy of Nigeria at large”, the body said.
