Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) has defended the actions of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, including his recent demolition of two hotels in the state, saying the governor acted appropriately.
Okocha advised persons uncomfortable with the Executive Orders which the governor relied on to pull down the two hotels, to approach the courts.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Okocha lauded the steps taken by the governor to fight coronavirus insisting they were designed to check the spread of the virus.

He said: “I believe strongly that the measures taken by the Rivers State Government, particularly the Governor, Nyesom Wike are well thought out, well advised and I believe that they will to a large extent help us to avoid or at least minimize to the barest level the spread of this coronavirus that they now say causes the illness they called COVID 19.

“And the Executive Orders put in place by the state governor are appropriate. Everybody accepts that they are calculated to secure our safety and to reduce to the barest minimum the spread of this coronavirus. So I don’t believe that anybody has quarreled with any of these orders.

“What I have heard are people flouting those orders and Nigerians sometimes do not understand, some of these measures put in place, some of these regulations, these laws and orders are for there own good, and everybody should do each of their very best to comply with them.”

He said the state’s Quarantine Coronavirus (COVID 19) and other Infectious Diseases Regulations No. 2 of 2020 was in line with Quarantine Act of the Federal Government.

“It’s not everything that is going to be on written law. By the authority of written law, some orders are made, some regulations are put in place and those flow naturally from the provisions of written law.

“This is why the Rivers State Government passed a law recently and we also have the Federal Act, Quarantine Act and many other such regulations that are aimed at dealing with safety and security and then health and wellbeing of the people.
“So, anybody that is arguing that the Executive Orders are unconstitutional should know his options.

“He should seek legal advice and if necessary go and challenge those orders in a court of law, duly constituted.”

On the demolition of Prodest Hotel, Alode, Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area, Okocha justified the actions of the governor.

He said: “I do not blame the governor for his action because I am aware that the regulation was put in place over two weeks ago for hoteliers and those operating drinking parlours and entertainment centres to close down at least temporarily until we get grip on how to deal this coronavirus pandemic.

“Now people have been making all kinds if comments, the press and I have heard some on the airwaves. They do not seem to know the full facts of the matter”

“Yes, there was a regulation put in place long before now regarding the lockdown we have had in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas. I hear that this happened in Eleme Local Government Area.

“Two hotels and they were warned to stop operating. Indeed, a taskforce was sent to remind them about the Executive Order put in place by the governor and they got their thugs and some local boys to beat members of the taskforce, so the Governor left with no other option wielded the big stick.

“So, the governor I think was justified in wielding the big stick on the hoteliers and anybody who feels that he has any reason to dispute should approach the appropriate quarters and let’s us see how far that approach will get him.”

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/ex-nba-president-defends-wike-justifies-hotel-demolition/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

My Earlier Post:

Was the Executive Order consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic Citizen's right to Fair Hearing?

How can you be Legislature, Executive and Judiciary at the same time?

Was there any Court or Mobile Court in which the accused were tried, convicted, sentenced and relevant sanction given by learned magistrate or judge ?

Some of these SANs are out there to support their paymasters

ty

I expect nothing less from OCJ Okocha being a close pal of Governor Nyesom Wike. His hands are tied. He has to back a friend especially one that drops largesse at this time of need.

However, this jaundiced opinion of OCJ Okocha and more cronies who will crawl out of their shells to help clean up Wike's mess in days ahead will NEVER justify the lawlessness and recklessness of Wike in demolishing those hotels.

By the way, what if following the consistent antagonism and aggression of Gov. Wike against FG, President Buhari instigates spate of violence in Rivers State and uses it as an excuse to declare state of emergency in the State and appoint a military administrator in place of Gov. Wike in line with his powers in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution . Won't these lawyers cry tyranny?

Mr Sycophant, you should have known that not everything permissible by law is beneficial or admissible. This is where justice should have a human face.

Devil aka Satan has his own supporters and followers.

So, not surprised.

This man has simply said what Nairalanders seem to be missing since.
There was a law in place before the action. And the hoteliers were aware of such law. Even the punishment was spelt out. And they were even personally warned but unleashed thugs on the taskforce.

If really this hotelier who closed his shop in Lagos and stayed at home in his Lagos residence but opened his hotel in Porthacourt feels he is a victim of power abuse, the court is there waiting for his file.

Go To Court!!!

Yes! They disobeyed an executive order BUT you should not become a tyrant because of that.
The buildings were demolished & the thugs/local boys that assaulted the taskforce members were not apprehended... Jokers!

izzou:


Ogaaa

E don tey wey you show up here

Your boy dey hail

My Izon brother, long time indeed. I mostly read comments nowadays and only post occasionally.

If any Northern Governor demolish any building some children of hate from that rejected region will be everywhere shouting Muslims are terrorists

Just look at what a past NBA lawyer is saying abeg ...so Wike can be the accuser , the law and judge in his own case ? In essence this lawyer is saying there is no need for the Judiciary or laws or lawyers ..just because of small contract he is expecting from Wike see how a grown ass man is saying nonsense

Fact is: Nigeria is run by Orangutans!

Okocha is Wike's colleague in tyranny

I believe they must belong to the same accult

Lawyers are feeding fat off democracy.

Karlifate:
Yes! They disobeyed an executive order BUT you should not become a tyrant because of that.
The buildings were demolished & the thugs/local boys that assaulted the taskforce members were not apprehended... Jokers!

Government is not run on emotions.
You must follow laid down principles no matter whose ox is gored

Believe it or not, Nigerians are very good in breaking of laws. When the lockdown was effected in US, I asked someone if there were police presence to enforce the compliance, she said that the people naturally obey laws. In Nigeria, you need all the security formations, the Executives plus traditional rulers and the Judiciary to enforce it.

Wike over did it this time around.

Iyiataata92:

Government is not run on emotions.
You must follow laid down principles no matter whose ox is gored

Mr Wike was just being VINDICTIVE to show them that he's still in power.
Why are the thugs & local boys that assaulted the taskforce members still moving about freely, IF he was not being sentimental & partial in his judgement?

Onueze Okocha..

Na dem, rebels. Anywhere belle face

I hope GEJ and co in PDP are proud of their actions rigging Wike in. Una never see anything

Immediately I saw ex-NBA presidio, OCJ Okocha came to my mind

Most people criticizing Wike don't even reside in Rivers lol.
they are angry that Rivers state is not recording covid-19 cases in hundreds like other areas.

What do you expect from OCJ Okocha who is number one beneficiary of Governor Wike? This are people advising Wike.

Wike matter don dey die small small.

Wike did nothing wrong... the executive law was there and the consequences well spelt out..

We wont be saying all these If there happen to be covid cases arising from there..