Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) has cautioned the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as other key actors in the ongoing political crisis in the state to desist from dragging the Judiciary arm into brawl.
The NBA issued warning in a statement released in Porthacourt the state capital on Tuesday.
In the statement signed eight branches of the association in the state, they insisted that they would not allow another shutdown of the court in the state.
Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., the Chairman, Okrika Branch, who addressed the press on behalf of others, pointed that the attention of the eight branches of the NBA has been drawn to a call by the House of Assembly on the Department of State Security, DSS, to investigate the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi.
Roberts while describing the development as unfortunate said there is a prescribed procedure for handling issues of such stance, noting that any complaints against any judicial officer is handled by the National Judicial Council, NJC.
His words: “The attention of the 8 branches of the NBA in Rivers State, has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th of March, 2025 directing the Department of State Security (DSS) to investigate the Rivers State Chief Judge on allegations of falsification of age. It is quite unfortunate, that despite the already heated polity in Rivers State, we are still experiencing escalations such as this.
“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.
“There is no need to escalate tensions as the stability of Rivers State is crucial to the economy of the State and the Country. We can easily recall the incidents in 2014-2015 which exposed the Judiciary and Judicial Officers that resulted in the closure of our Courts. 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.”
Roberts noted that there is a prescribed procedure for handling issues of such stance, noting that any complaints against any judicial officer is handled by the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Similarly, he said that Judiciary should not be intimidated or bullied by the bidding of any other arm of government, advocating for the use of democratic process and rule of law to resolve the political war in the state.
“Every action in the Public Service has a prescribed procedure which alI should respect and observe to forestall chaos and anarchy in the State. In the case of the 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 authorize any investigation against any Judge.
“The need for the protection of the Judiciary cannot be overemphasized, as the Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man, and indeed everyone, 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”.