Rivers Chief Judge Vows to Uphold Justice Under Her Watch

Chief Judge of Rivers state, Justice Iyayi Laminkara has vowed that Justice System under her watch will be free from corruption.

Justice Laminkara who made the vow in her Opening Speech at an in house workshop, organized for Magistrates in the state judiciary maintained there will be zero tolerance for Corruption in the state judiciary.

The state CJ urged Magistrates to be committed in their duties noting that the state Government is doing its best to improve the welfare of Magistrates for effective justice delivery at the Magistrate Court.

In her paper presentation, Justice N. Thompson advised that sentences should be served to offenders as a deterrent rather than fines adding that criminal proceedings should have forensic analysis as a way to give accurate identification of an accused person.

On his part, a stakeholder, C.J. Chinwo, advised magistrates to avoid the emotions of sympathy or sentiments in the discharge of their duties but ensure that justice is done.

Some magistrates appealed to the state government to provide adequate security for magistrates sitting outside Port Harcourt and the state judiciary complex.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Government has expressed its willingness to partner with the European Union –EU to ensure the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals -SDGs in the State.

Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Sustainable

Development Goals, Toru Ofili made this known when she hosted the European Union representative to Nigeria and Economic

Community of West African States - ECOWAS countries, Pauline Torebell, while assuring her of the state government’s commitment in making the state safe for investors.

Earlier in her speech, Torebell, who is also the head of the politics and information communication of the EU said she was in Rivers

State to among other things, discuss how the EU would be of help to the state through promotion of the SDGs programmes.

In a related development, the United Nations has lauded the state Governor Nyesom Wike for being the first governor to domesticate the SDGs in the country.

The body made the commendation in a letter signed by the regional director of the United Nations SDGs Action Group, Sering Falu Nije on behalf of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon.

The group said it welcomed the setting up of the SDGs office by the governor and promise to avail the office with its expertise services in mobilizing global stakeholders and facilitate strategic partnership on the SDGs.