Gov Wike Swears In First Female Chief Judge In Rivers

The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has sworn in the first female Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha. At a ceremony which took place in the Government House today, January 4, 2016. Justice Daisy Okocha, who has been in acting capacity since June 1, 2015, after series of controversy trailed her nomination as Chief Judge.

It would be recalled that the state Judiciary was in crisis for more than a year over the struggle over who is rightful person to head the Judiciary as the Chief Judge. NJC recommended the appointment of Justice Okocha as Chief Judge of Rivers State on 22nd July, 2013 when Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi was the sitting governor. However, Federal High Court in its judgment later ruled that the state governor was not bound to comply with the recommendation of the NJC.  It was then a torn between the APC and the PDP as to who will be the rightful CJ. An attempt to swear in Justice Peter Agumagu who was the preferred choice of the sitting governor brought about crisis and litigation in the state judicially.
 Governor Wike later appointed Justice Okocha in June 1, 2015 as the acting Chief Judge of the state.
 On December 23, 2015, the Court of Appeal set aside an earlier judgement of the Federal High Court, which cleared all litigation from the over one year court battle.
The Governor said at the ceremony that the state government acted in line with the recommendation of NJC, which was confirmed by the Court of Appeal on December 23, 2015. IN his speech, he said:

allowing the judiciary to be subjected to the discretion of sitting governors would desecrate the independence of the Judiciary and lead to abuses that would negatively affect the dispensation of justice.
The system will collapse if we refuse to respect the judicial system of succession as laid out. My administration will never do anything that will threaten the rule of law. We will always uphold the customs and traditions of the Judiciary. We never break down the laid down procedure. We will never run contrary to our avowed commitment to respect the independence of the Judiciary at all times.

In her remarks after being sworn in, the new Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha thanked God for making her elevation possible after two years of uncertainty.
Justice Okocha said: “This is a solemn moment for me. The NJC recommendation of 22nd July, 2013 came to manifestation on Monday, 4th January, 2016. God has glorified himself in my elevation as Chief Judge.
“Man can try, but only God’s counsel will prevail.”
She commended Governor Wike for giving the Judiciary the required independence to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.