The President of Customary Court of Appeal in Rivers State, Justice Peter Agumagu, has warned the newly sworn-in chairmen of the customary courts against bribery and corruption in order for them to excel in their new assignment.
Justice Agumagu gave the warning while speaking during the swearing in of 10 newly appointed chairmen of Customary courts in Rivers State held at the Customary Court of Appeal premises, Rumuogba in Obio/Apkor local government area on Tuesday August 7, 2012.
He stated that corruption is a very slippery ground for judicial officers and many have fallen and even died because of it saying that there is zero tolerance to corruption in the Rivers State judiciary and advised the new chairmen to apply reasonable caution in their social interactions with lawyers, litigants and the public if the must avoid corruption.
The Customary Court of Appeal President said it is forbidden for a serving judicial officer to accept chieftaincy titles, engage in politics or any business venture while still in service, stressing that they are also not expected to take clerical honours or pastor a church till after their retirement and that strict adherence to these instructions would place them in good stead in the course of their service.
He also admonished the judicial officers to be independent, impartial, firm and to apply propriety, fairness and equity in adjudication and to acquire competence and diligence in the performance of their duties, adding that every judicial officer is mandatorily required to continue to acquire legal knowledge and skill through fruitless legal education, personal research, study, learning and diligence.
Continuing he said, “As chairmen of customary courts, you are in addition expected to acquire knowledge of the customary laws especially those applicable to the jurisdiction of your court. There is no room for lazy judge. The reputation of your court will be measured by your industry and output. Your quarterly returns of cases are mandatory. It will determine the height you may attain in this office. We shall regularly and scrupulously scrutinize and monitor them.”
He further said they would be exposed to regular trainings through conferences and workshops so as to equip them in the discharge of their judicial function and advised them to be disciplined.
Those sworn-in as chairmen of the customary court-in Rivers State include Mejiuzor Owakorodi for Akabuka, Ndamanti Ezebanwo for Choba, Saate Peter Baribefi for Kpor, Moses Egerebu Sinclair for KenKhana, Mrs. Ezra Jumbo Sentia Ngozi for Mgboji-Ndoki and Odili Amarachi Gladys for Ndoni.
The rest are Ogboara Andrew Azuli in charge of Okwuzi customary court, Okere Remijus Obioma for Umaturu, Ikechukwu Glory Michael for Omoku and Obomanu Godswill for Opobo and they are referred to as judges of the lower court.
Earlier while taking their judicial oath of office the newly appointed judges of the customary court pledged to discharge their duties effectively, saying that they would not allow their personal interest to influence their official conduct in discharging their duties in accordance with the constitution of Nigeria.
They further promised to abide by the code of conduct as contained in the 5th schedule of the constitution and would also defend and protect the constitution. ###
Deacon Nyeche Chinda
