Wike swears in Justice Okocha as Rivers CJ

Governor Nyesom Wike,congratulates Justice Daisy Okocha after being sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Rivers State

Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike has sworn in Justice Daisy Okocha as the acting Chief Judge of Rivers after controversy left a vacuum in the apex position in the state judiciary for over one year.

Wike charged Okocha to discharge her duties without victimizing those who were against her appointment.

During the swearing in ceremony, Wike who is also a lawyer blamed the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, of not doing enough to kick against the illegalities of the immediate past administration.

He promised to grant financial autonomy to the state judiciary and allow it to perform its role of dispensing justice fairly without interference.

The governor particularly berated the Port Harcourt branch of NBA for announcing the suspension of Mr. Wogu Boms, the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice whose actions the body alleged fuelled the prolonged crisis in the judiciary just days to the end of the past administration.

He said the suspension slammed on Wogu Boms, who was once the Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of NBA was too patronising and little too late.

In her brief response Justice Daisy Okocha pledged to discharge her duties fairly and would not allow corruption in the state judiciary under her watch.

Justice Okocha immediately proceeded to open the State High Court Complex that has been under lock for trekking distance from the Government House and
there was obvious excitement in the air legal practitioners grinned from ear to ear.

It would be recalled that the National Judicial Commission, NJC, recommended Justice Okocha for appointment as Chief Judge of the state, as the most senior High Court Judge, but former Governor Amaechi preferred Justice Peter C N Agumagu, the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal who until his deployment to the Customary Court of Appeal was the most Senior judge.

In attendance at the ceremony performed at the Executive chambers of the Government House Port Harcourt were members of both the Bar and Bench including, Mr Onueze C. Okocha, SAN, the younger brother of the new acting Chief Judge of the state and others.

At the time of the report, Justice Okocha and other top judges were at the high court complex addressing the Judges.