Rivers Assembly Confirms Justice Simeon Amadi As New Chief Judge

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have confirmed the
nomination of Justice Simeon Amadi as the new Chief Judge of the
state.

They confirmed the new chief judge after Speaker of the
Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, read the letter of nomination
addressed to the House by Governor Nyesom Wike, to the lawmakers
present at Tuesday’s plenary held at the legislative chamber in
Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Governor Wike’s letter was predicated on the recommendation of
Justice Amadi for the position by the National Judicial Council
(NJC).

Shortly after the speaker read the letter, the Majority Leader
of the House, Martins Ameawhule, moved a motion for Justice Amadi
to take a bow and leave, noting his service from the state
Magistrate Court to the High Court of the state.

Ameawhule, who represents Obio/Akpor Constituency I, explained
that his proposition was based on the correspondences he received
from some of his colleagues, attesting to the eligibility of the
nominee.

The motion was seconded by the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru
Constituency II, Lolo Opuene.

Announcing the confirmation, Ibani stated that all 18 members
who were present at the plenary in a House of 32 members all voted
in affirmation.

Justice Simeon Amadi is to take over from Justice Adama
Iyayi-Lamikanra who is scheduled to bow out in May, after attaining
the mandatory retirement age of 65.

The nomination of Justice Amadi, a third-ranking judge in the
Rivers State High Court has, however, been criticised by interest
groups who accused Governor Wike of influencing his recommendation
by the NJC based on ethnic sentiment.

Governor Wike has, however, denied the allegation, stressing
that the appointment of a substantive chief judge of a state was
not done on hierarchical order, but on criteria to be considered by
the nation’s judicial body.

He stated this on Monday when a group of lawyers from the
Ikwerre ethnic group paid him a courtesy visit at the Government
House in Port Harcourt.

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have confirmed the
nomination of Justice Simeon Amadi as the new Chief Judge of the
state.

They confirmed the new chief judge after Speaker of the
Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, read the letter of nomination
addressed to the House by Governor Nyesom Wike, to the lawmakers
present at Tuesday’s plenary held at the legislative chamber in
Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Governor Wike’s letter was predicated on the recommendation of
Justice Amadi for the position by the National Judicial Council
(NJC).

Shortly after the speaker read the letter, the Majority Leader
of the House, Martins Ameawhule, moved a motion for Justice Amadi
to take a bow and leave, noting his service from the state
Magistrate Court to the High Court of the state.

Ameawhule, who represents Obio/Akpor Constituency I, explained
that his proposition was based on the correspondences he received
from some of his colleagues, attesting to the eligibility of the
nominee.

The motion was seconded by the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru
Constituency II, Lolo Opuene.

Announcing the confirmation, Ibani stated that all 18 members
who were present at the plenary in a House of 32 members all voted
in affirmation.

Justice Simeon Amadi is to take over from Justice Adama
Iyayi-Lamikanra who is scheduled to bow out in May, after attaining
the mandatory retirement age of 65.

The nomination of Justice Amadi, a third-ranking judge in the
Rivers State High Court has, however, been criticised by interest
groups who accused Governor Wike of influencing his recommendation
by the NJC based on ethnic sentiment.

Governor Wike has, however, denied the allegation, stressing
that the appointment of a substantive chief judge of a state was
not done on hierarchical order, but on criteria to be considered by
the nation’s judicial body.

He stated this on Monday when a group of lawyers from the
Ikwerre ethnic group paid him a courtesy visit at the Government
House in Port Harcourt.