The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, has upheld the legality of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry established by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to probe the sale of valued asset by the immediate past administration of Chibuike Amaechi in the state.

The Appeal Court in a lead judgment by Justice O. F. Omoleye also held that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the power to make the Commission of Inquiry Law (CAP 30) under which Governor Wike established the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

Delivering judgment on Suit Number CA/PH/342/2015, the court in a unanimous decision dismissed the appeal filed by the former governor, Mr. Amaechi, challenging the constitution of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

The court held that Justice Simeon Amadi of the Rivers State High Court was right when he ruled that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry had the power to sit and make recommendations.

The Court of Appeal ruled that anybody who holds public office should be ready to be accountable to the people, even after leaving office.

The Appeal Court, however, resolved that Mr. Amaechi has the locus standi to file the suit, since it had to probe his administration.

Addressing journalists after the judgment, Dejo Laminkara, counsel to the Rivers State Governor, said that the Appeal Court by its decision stressed that the law for the establishment of Judicial Commission of Inquiry remains valid.

Also speaking, the Attorney-General of Rivers State, Emmanuel Aguma, stated that the implication of the judgment was that the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry are valid and can be implemented.

He expressed satisfaction that the Court of Appeal held that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was validly constituted.

The Court of Appeal Panel that ruled on the matter include Justice O. F. Omoleye (presiding), Justice J. S. Abiriyi, and Justice S. T. Husaini.

The judgment lasted for 3 hours and 30 minutes.

It will be recalled that Justice Simeon Amadi of the Rivers State High Court in 2015 dismissed the suit filed by Mr. Amaechi challenging the constitution of the Justice Omereji – led Judicial Commission of Inquiry by Governor Nyesom Wike to probe the sale of state asset by the immediate past administration.

Delivering judgment on Suit Number PHC/187/15 filed by Mr. Amaechi, Justice Amadi declared that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was not established to investigate the personal activities of the former governor, but set up to investigate previous actions of government as they affect the people of Rivers State.

He ruled that Governor Nyesom Wike by the provisions of the law is empowered to establish the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate previous actions of government.

According to him, there is no law preventing a state government from finding out how her resources were expended.

He declared that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi cannot disburse and expend funds of the Rivers State Government and turn around to claim that such powers belong to the National Assembly.

On the claim by former Governor Amaechi that the 30 days set aside for the sitting of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry will deny him fair hearing, the court held the days set aside had not breached Mr. Amaechi’s right to fair hearing.

The court noted that the former governor has not filed a memorandum before the commission and has not appeared before it, hence he cannot complain that he was not given fair hearing.

Justice Amadi said that the 30 days set aside is not sacrosanct, hence it could be extended.

The court further held that the suit by Mr. Amaechi is speculative as he failed to prove the injuries that he has suffered because of the setting up of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

Justice Amadi held that contrary to Mr. Amaechi’s claims, the terms of reference of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry did not accuse the former governor of crime, neither is the former governor on trial.

Justice Amadi declared: “The Judiciary is not only the last hope of the common man, but it is also the last hope of the mighty and movers and shakers of democracy.

“Those who by the benevolence of the Judiciary got to power should resist the temptation to emasculate the Judiciary”.

http://www.signalng.com/appeal-court-validates-rivers-states-probe-rotimi-amaechi/

Thougth Amaechi Said he has no case to answer why is he running from pillar to post

The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division!

OK!

Saint Ameachi go and answer for your administration looting.

On the claim by former Governor Amaechi that the 30 days set aside for the sitting of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry will deny him fair hearing, the court held the days set aside had not breached Mr. Amaechi’s right to fair hearing.

The court noted that the former governor has not filed a memorandum before the commission and has not appeared before it, hence he cannot complain that he was not given fair hearing.

Breeze will soon blow his nyash open

engineerboat:
Thougth Amaechi Said he has no case to answer why is he running from pillar to post

NgeneUkwenu:
The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division!

OK!

Is Rivers state in Abuja or APC national Hq.

The last time we know. Amaechi Approach Rivers federal high court, Same Amaechi Approach the river Appeal court.

"I am not a thief...."(Amaechi 2017) oya come and defend yourself. Stop shouting no fairhearing

Lalasticlala, myd44 Amaechi is singing fairhearing hoooo.......

Mr Udeleukwenu stop defending corruption for goodness sake.

...

Wish something good will come out of this, this is a country where the high and mighty go home with their loot and the poor go by hanging. What a shame

Lusola15:
Wish something good will come out of this, this is a country where the high and mighty go home with their loot and the poor go by hanging. What a shame

Amaechi have no where to run to again
He will vomit this one

LOOTimi Amaechi the Judas of Ubima

NgeneUkwenu:
The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division!

OK!

Of course! That's where the crime was committed.

“I am not as bad as people from the outside say I am. I only engage based on principles. I neither take nor give bribes. If you want to relate with me, don’t give me money. I will also not give you money. I don’t want to go to jail so I won’t steal. But I won’t spare thieves,” C. R Amaechi 2017

Saint Ameachi.

If you have nothing to hide why rushing to court to prevent probe. Sorry, it is in the blood, someone hired 40 SANs to prevent presenting his certificate.

NgeneUkwenu:
The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division!

OK!

What has the division of the Court of Appeal got to do with anything? Is it only Lagos and Abuja divisions that can dispense justice? Justices of the Court of Appeal are appointees of the FG not the State govt and they are not beholden to the State Governor in any way. Also note that the Court of Appeal is one with different divisions for administrative convenience.
Besides, u should have taken note of the names of the Justices too: Justice O. F. Omoleye (presiding), Justice J. S. Abiriyi, and Justice S. T. Husaini.

correct.

Mr. "i don't like money" oya come and prove it.

I dnt understand them. They say you did something, just prove that you did not. Instead they will hire 100 SAN.

The last time they asked Buhari for ordinary WAYEC Cetificate, he carried 40 Senior Advocate of Nigeria to court to do what exactly ?

Ki la gbe ki le ju

Iz like zomething iz very mush wrong with uz in thiz country coz other countries have peniss, we in Nigeria have penisulla.

The story of the goat and the yam...

NgeneUkwenu:
The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division!

OK!

This one will keep ypu quiet

Thrash, Rotimi is a saint

Saint Amaechi is in New waters

Reno Omokri will finish him with this. Lemme go and Stalk Reno on Twitter.



I just remembered FFK



Amaechi is officially in trouble

Rotimi Amaechi i the hear the name since but today i want ask how him carry get yoruba and igbo name?

donmalcolm21:
Saint Amaechi is in New waters

Hot water

engineerboat:
Thougth Amaechi Said he has no case to answer why is he running from pillar to post

because he is a goalkeeper

ekensi01:
Rotimi Amaechi i the hear the name since but today i want ask how him carry get yoruba and igbo name?

rotimi is a nick name from his father. When him been school for Ibadan so he come adopt am to use take scam us.

bigerboy200:

Hot water

Buhari has traveled so it's time to hear good news

kenny987:


What has the division of the Court of Appeal got to do with anything? Is it only Lagos and Abuja divisions that can dispense justice? Justices of the Court of Appeal are appointees of the FG not the State govt and they are not beholden to the State Governor in any way. Also note that the Court of Appeal is one with different divisions for administrative convenience.
Besides, u should have taken note of the names of the Justices too: Justice O. F. Omoleye (presiding), Justice J. S. Abiriyi, and Justice S. T. Husaini.

I prefer Gusau division, how about that!

dis one BUHARI has travelled n we r hearing good news, hope GARRI WUD NOT BE LEFT OUT