RIVERS STATE: New Chief Judge Was Sworn In By The Governor

Rivers State Governor swore in new Chief Judge Peter Nwoke Chukwuma Agumagu in Government House, Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.

State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and new Chief Judge Peter Nwoke Chukwuma Agumagu

The ceremony of swearing in took place in the Government House, after the Federal High Court dismissed the case to bar the appointment of Justice Agumagu. Justice Agumagu had previously served in the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal as its President.

During the ceremony, State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi mentioned several legal disputes, however encouraged the Chief Judge not to let them influence and becloud his judicial decisions and to be fair to all litigants.

 He also urged new C.J. not to be surprised by the opposition to his appointment as most of the time every major office in Nigeria experiences such tussles with new people at high positions.

Several parties of the state attempted to stop the governor from nominating Justice Agumagu as the state's chief judge, pursuing their own interests. Governor mentioned that he was concerned "with the way people in the judiciary fought over who would be the Chief Judge of the State", and that some state quarters made efforts to deprive him of his right to nominate the Chief Judge.

Governor also expressed his gratitude to the Federal High Court for helping to ensure justice.

“I would on behalf of Rivers State thank the Federal High Court for helping us out of this bondage. I would say to the Federal High Court that our brothers who [have the] privilege of their position in high office should not abuse their office again,” the Governor of the State said.

Justice Agumagu told the reporters that we will from now on focus on rendering justice and will aim for a reinvigorated judiciary. Moreover he added that all the workers of the judicial sector have already improved the conditions.