Wike Carpets Judiciary: Accuses them of Mismanagement of Funds

By James Jibril

The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has accused the Judiciary in Rivers State of mismanagement of public funds. Adding that though his administration has released more funds to the judiciary than what was in the budgets, yet court premises in the state are not conducive enough.

Governor Wike made the statement on Thursday at the flag-off ceremony of Magistrate’s Court Complex in Port Harcourt, while reacting to claims by the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Prince Nyakwere and former NBA President, Okey Wali SAN that High Court premises in the State are over-crowded.

The statement of the duo was further corroborated by the Chief justice of Rivers State, Simeon Chibuzor Amadi even as he commended the Governor for his love for the Judiciary and Administration of Justice in the State.

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Wike said “The Judiciary has indicted themselves for saying that there is no parking space in Court premises. What have you been doing with your funds? We are not owing the Judiciary any dime in capital and recurrent expenditure.

“You were crying for autonomy and now that you have it, what have you done with the autonomy? I have increased the capital and recurrent expenditure of the Judiciary in the 2022 budget. We shall monitor the funds.

“I was in Court the other day and I was dying of heat. From next year, It will not be easy. If I release fund, I will ask the Commissioner of Justice to go and announce it at the press. So it can be used for the purpose.

“We are even giving to the Judiciary more than what is in the budgets. Let your Courts be like Courts. The Air conditioners should be working.”