Rights group berates Presidency over Rivers CJ logjam

The African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has described the crisis rocking the Rivers state judiciary as a ploy by the Presidency to perpetually keep the state in turmoil.

Executive Director of the group, Rev. David Ugolor, who stated this in an interview with journalists, cautioned that the crisis was capable of undermining the integrity and independence of the nation’s judiciary.
He said: “A proper look at the power play in the appointment of a new Chief Judge in Rivers state shows that the presidency interest is a big threat to democracy and the rule of law.

“Since Governor Amaechi indicated interest to contest the NGF chairmanship election, there has been one problem or the other. From the grounding of the state jet to the seeding of Rivers oil wells to Bayelsa and attempt by about six or seven members of the House of Assembly plotted a coup to overthrow the legitimate leadership of the House.”

He also frowned upon an advertorial by a member of the Nigeria Judicial Commission (NJC) to the effect that he backed his sister for the job, adding.
The rights activist, therefore, demanded for the resignation of the NJC member for bringing ethnicity to the revered judicial body.