Judicial Independence At Stake: NBA Appeals To Rivers Assembly To End Political Interference

In a joint press statement released on Tuesday, the eight branches of the NBA in Rivers State stressed their commitment to preventing any disruption of the courts, which would threaten the integrity of the state’s justice system. The statement, signed by Cordelia U. Eke, Hilda Desmond-lhekaire, Simple Dioha, Abiye A. Abo, Dr. N.A. Duson, Dr. Celestine N. Nwankwo, Tamunosiki A. Roberts, and Ekeledinichukwu Ordu, was issued in Port Harcourt following the Rivers State House of Assembly’s recent call for the Department of State Security (DSS) to investigate the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, over allegations of age falsification.

Speaking on behalf of the chairmen of the eight NBA branches, Tamunosiki A. Roberts, the Chairman of the Okrika Branch, condemned the actions of the state legislature and emphasized that the judiciary should remain independent from the political crisis currently unfolding in the state.

“We are aware of the ongoing political deadlock between the Legislature and the Executive in Rivers State. However, we must caution that the judiciary must not be dragged into this dispute. Such actions undermine peace and stability in the state,” Roberts stated.

He further underlined the importance of judicial independence in maintaining peace, especially as the judiciary is often tasked with resolving disputes. The NBA chairmen reflected on the turbulent period of 2014-2015 when the judiciary was compromised, leading to court shutdowns—an outcome they warned must not happen again.

Roberts stressed that any concerns regarding judicial officers should be addressed by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which holds the exclusive authority to investigate and take action against any judge.

“The judiciary must not be intimidated or coerced by any other branch of government. We must adhere to the democratic process and the rule of law to resolve any issues within the state,” he said.

The NBA also emphasized that the judiciary remains the last line of defense for ordinary citizens and must be shielded from unnecessary political interference.

Roberts called on all parties involved in the dispute to prioritize peace and work towards resolving their differences in the best interest of the people of Rivers State and the nation.

The NBA concluded by urging the government and legislature to respect the rule of law and refrain from actions that could destabilize the state. The focus, they said, should be on resolving political conflicts through dialogue and mutual respect.

“We appeal to all parties to lay down their arms and genuinely pursue peace in the interest of Rivers State and the nation’s economy,” the statement concluded.