Lloyd: Hon. Chindah’s Family Petition NJC Over Rivers CJ
The family of the battered member of the Rivers State House of Assembly Hon Michael Okechukwu Chindah who is currently undergoing medical treatment in London has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what they termed undue interference of the Rivers State Chief Judge Justice Iche Ndu in the matter.
According to a statement issued by Chief Evans Chindah, elder brother of Hon Chindah, the family resorted to the petition against the Chief Judge in order to ensure that justice is done to the case which the Amaechi Government in Port Harcourt is twisting to give the impression that his brother was at fault and deserved the violence that Hon Chidi Lloyd visited on him.
Chief Chindah said their family was particularly surprised and sad that instead of pursuing the course of peace if the Chief Judge and Governor Chibuike Amaechi do not want the case to go on, the Chief Judge is resorting to underground maneuverings to defeat the course of justice in the case.
In the petition to the NJC, Chief Chindah raised alarm that the glaring irregularities in the case since Hon Lloyd was brought to court speak volumes. Both the Chief Judge and the presiding Judge Justice Letam Nyordee are trying to defeat justice through the back door. Hon Lloyd was brought to court on a six count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder and aggravated assault among others.
He said that owing chiefly to the desperation of the Amaechi administration to take control of the case prematurely and free Hon Lloyd, the arraignment ran into a hitch for which the court adjourned the matter to 6th August, 2013 for ruling on the interlocutory argument of whether or not the police can engage a private counsel to prosecute the accused person.
Surprisingly and in a twist of fate, the Chief Judge, the presiding Judge and the State Government unknown to the defense counsel refixed the case to be heard again on the 31st of July, 2013 instead of the 6th of august.
The court heard and ordered exparte that Hon Lloyd be produced in court by the police, knowing full well that the short notice was inappropriate. As predicted Hon Lloyd was not brought to court and we went home dejected.
Chief Chindah further said he and members of their family are deeply tormented by this shady development and the desperation of the Rivers State Government to discharge Hon Lloyd at all cost. This is evident from the premature scramble by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Worgu Boms to take over the case even before proper arraignment as demonstrated on the first day of the trial.
It is on this ground that the family is pleading with the NJC to call the Rivers State Chief Judge and the presiding Judge to order because justice is not one way traffic. All sides to the case deserve justice and that is what our family is asking for and no more, he said.