Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Chief Onueze
Okocha (SAN) has declared that the Executive Orders signed by Rivers
State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike are appropriate.
Okocha (SAN) advised anyone who is uncomfortable with the Executive
Orders should approach the courts.
In an interview on Monday, Chief Okocha (SAN) lauded the steps taken by
the Rivers State Governor to fight coronavirus as well thought out and
well advised. He said the steps will help check the spread of
coronavirus.
He said: “I believe strongly that the measures taken by the Rivers State
Government, particularly the Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike are well
thought out, well advised and I believe that they will to a large extent
help us to avoid or at least minimize to the barest level the spread of
this coronavirus that they now say causes the illness they called COVID
19.”
“I commend the government, I commend the Governor for these bold and
very laudable steps”
“And the Executive Orders put in place by the State Governor are
appropriate. Everybody accepts that they are calculated to secure our
safety and to reduce to the barest minimum the spread of this
coronavirus. So I don’t believe that anybody has quarreled with any of
these orders.”
“What I have heard are people flouting those orders and Nigerians some
times do not understand, some of these measures put in place, some of
these regulations, these laws and orders are for there own good, and
everybody should do each of their very best to comply with them.”
He noted that it was on this basis that the Rivers State Government put
in place the Quarantine Coronavirus (COVID 19) and other Infectious
Diseases Regulations No. 2 of 2020 which is also in line with Quarantine
Act of the Federal Government.
“Its not everything that is going to be on written law. By the
authority of written law, some orders are made, some regulations are put
in place and those flow naturally from the provisions of written law”
“This is why the Rivers State Government passed a law recently and we
also have the Federal Act, Quarantine Act and many other such
regulations that are aimed at dealing with safety and security and then
health and well being of the people”
“So, anybody that is arguing that the Executive Orders are
unconstitutional should know his options. He should seek legal advice
and if necessary go and challenge those orders in a court of law, duly
constituted”
On the demolition of Prodest Hotel, Alode, Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel,
Onne in Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Onueze Okocha said the action
of the Governor is justifiable given the several warnings to hoteliers
not to operate within the period.
“I do not blame the Governor for his action because am aware that the
regulation was put in place over two weeks ago for hoteliers and those
operating drinking parlours and entertainment centres to close down at
least temporarily until we get grip on how to deal this coronavirus
pandemic”
“Now people have been making all kinds if comments, the press and I have
heard some on the airwaves. They do not seem to know the full facts of
the matter”
“Yes, there was a regulation put in place long before now regarding the
lockdown we have had in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local
Government Areas. I hear that this happened in Eleme Local Government
Area. Two hotels and they were warned to stop operating. Indeed, a
taskforce was sent to remind them about the Executive Order put in place
by the Governor and they got their thugs and some local boys to beat
members of the taskforce, so the Governor left with no other option
wielded the big stick.”
“We also heard people saying oooh, he was impounding vehicles and
arresting people on the roads for violating the law on Obio/Akpor and
Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas. What did they expect the
Governor to do? Fold his hands and watch people to openly and brazenly
flaunt what we know are regulations put in place in accordance with law
and order”
“So, the Governor I think was justified in wielding the big stick on the
hoteliers and anybody who feels that he has any reason to dispute should
approach the appropriate quarters and let’s us see how far that approach
will get him.”
The one time NBA President further consent with the two days temporary
lifting of the total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local
Government Areas, saying the move will enable the citizens to keep their
houses in order and well as attend to medical issues before going back
to the status quo.
“Most of our citizens we are appreciate are people who earn there living
based on there daily activities, even those who do not, like some of us
also need to go out to get supplies, we need food, medicines and some
needs to see their doctors. So, some times, the lockdown has to be
applied with a human fave and which is why I feel some justification in
what the Governor has done by relaxing the lockdown by one or two days”
He advised Rivers people to be patient with the state government in its
effort to contain the spread of the pandemic in the state and also
observed the necessary protocols put in place by WHO and NCDC to fight
COVID 19.
“I advise Rivers people to please be patient with government and also
strictly observe the regulations put in place not only by the government
and the law enforcement agencies in Rivers State, but also by the
National Center for Disease Control and all other health organizations
including World Health Organization, WHO which he noted is holding the
knife as we say in this situation”
“I hope that all of us in Rivers State will do our best to comply with
these regulations because what is ultimate is to save our lives and save
the life of our loved ones and other relations”