A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State, Mr. Francis Egele, yesterday urged Governor Seriake Dickson to ensure that judges were appointed in the state before the end of his administration.
Egele made the appeal in his address during an event in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, to mark the official opening of the state’s 2017/2018 legal year.
He said the last time a judge was appointed in the state was 12 years ago, adding that some other states had within the period ‘appointed over eight to 10 judges.’
The senior advocate said the executive arm of government would not be absolved of blame for the state’s inability to appoint judges.
He said the executive had not been able to comply with the stipulations of providing befitting cars, accommodation and library for any judge that was to be appointed as required by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
He also attributed the prevailing situation to lack of financial independence of the judiciary as contained in the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the country.
Egele, who advocated for the capacity building of judges and members of the bar, said the NJC had again offered Bayelsa two chances for the appointment of judges and it would expire in December or January 2018.
He urged the Dickson’s administration not to allow the state miss the opportunity on account of lack of funds and facilities.
He said: “I crave the indulgence of His Excellency, Governor Seriake Dickson, to ensure that, for the first time, this administration joins the league of administrations that have made it possible for the appointment of judges.
“I am privy to the fact that since 2012, the governor has proposed the building of judges and magistrates’ quarters.
“I do hope and urge that before our colleague leaves office, this laudable project should be achieved and, perhaps, it is suggested as acknowledged by the Chief Justice of the Federation on November 18, 2017, that such buildings could be got on the retirement of such judicial officers or monetised for them at reasonable and affordable prices.”
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State House of Assembly yesterday passed the Ecumenical Centre Management Bill 2017, after accelerated and detailed hearing on the floor of the House.
Moving the motion for the passage, Leader of the House, Hon. Peretubo Peter Akpe, said the aim of establishing the ecumenical centre was to draw Bayelsa people closer to God, promote unity, peace and to boast internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Abraham Ingobere, in his contribution said the bill, when passed, will help to manage and maintain the centre’s infrastructure for optimal benefit of the state.
