NJC Suspends Rivers Chief Judge

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.