Gov Wike swears in First Female Chief Judge of Rivers State

By swearing-in Justice Okocha as the Chief Judge, Wike said  that the  state government  acted in line with  the  recommendation of NJC which was confirmed  by  the Court of  Appeal  on December  23, 2015.

Gov Wike swears in First Female Chief Judge of Rivers State

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike swearing-in the State Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha at the Executive Council Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.

Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has  declared  that  the  swearing-in  of  the  substantive Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha,  is a victory  for  the  rule of law  and  the  respect for the  rules of succession as outlined  by the National Judicial Council, NJC. 

Justice Okocha is the First Female Chief Judge of Rivers State. She has been the state Acting Chief Judge since June 1, 2015.

Performing  the  swearing-in of Justice Daisy Wotube  Okocha as the Chief Judge of Rivers State   on Monday  at the Government House, Port Harcourt,  Governor Wike said  that the  state government  acted in line with  the  recommendation of  the  National  Judicial  Council, NJC, which was confirmed  by  the  Court of  Appeal  on December  23, 2015.

He said that with the recent development,  it is clear that governors cannot wilfully  disrespect  the recommendation of the NJC as was the case  with the Amaechi  administration  in the state.

According  to  him,  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. 

He said : “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  upholds 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”.

Governor Wike  charged  the  new Chief Judge of  Rivers State to always uphold the constitution  and carry other members of the bench along in the decision  making  process. 

The NJC recommended  the appointment  of Justice Daisy Wotube Okocha as  Chief Judge  of Rivers State on 22nd July, 2013, while the Court of  Appeal  on December 23, 2015 set aside a Federal High Court judgment which had initially  ruled that the state governor  is not bound to comply with  the  recommendation  of  the  NJC. 

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. 

Simeon Nwakaudu

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media

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