The National Judicial Council, NJC, has suspended newly appointed Rivers
State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Agumagu.
The NJC, a national judicial advisory organ, after an emergency meeting in
Abuja, said it decided to suspend Justice Agumagu for disrespecting a
consequential action of a judgment delivered by a competent court of
competent jurisdiction.
The NJC accused Justice Agumagu of disregarding the council by accepting
the appointment of Governor Chibuike Amaechi. The Rivers State Governor
had on March 18 sworn in Justice Agumagu after Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi
of a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had declared the NJC’s
action of nominating only Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha for appointment as CJ
as unconstitutional.
The Council also said Justice Agumagu pretended to be unaware of the
provisions in the 1999 Constitution as Amended with regard to the
appointment of a Chief Judge.
The Federal High court in Port Harcourt therefore nullified the
recommendation of the National Judicial Council in appointing Justice
Okocha as the Chief Judge of Rivers State.
The presiding Judge, Justice Akanbi had in his judgment said Governor
Amaechi was not bound and cannot be compelled to swear-in the individual
recommended by the NJC.