This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Rivers State |
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The Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal is a court of justice of second instance that has appellate and supervisory jurisdiction over matters of customary law in Rivers State. [1] It is presided over by a president assisted by a number of judges as prescribed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The current president is Christy Nwankwo, having been appointed to office by Governor Ezenwo Wike since 29 May 2015. [2]
Rivers State, also known simply as Rivers, is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. According to census data released in 2006, the state has a population of 5,198,716, making it the sixth-most populous state in the country. Its capital and largest city, Port Harcourt, is economically significant as the centre of Nigeria's oil industry. Rivers State is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State, and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states. It is home to many indigenous ethnic groups: Ogoni, Abua, Ekpeye, Ikwerre, Ibani, Opobo, Eleme, Okrika, and Kalabari, Etche, Ogba, Engenni, Egbema, Obolo and others. The people from Rivers State are known as "Riverians".
Rivers State House of Assembly is the legislative branch of the Government of Rivers State inaugurated in 1979. It is a unicameral body with 32 members elected into 32 state constituencies. The current Speaker of the State Assembly is Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi O. Ibani.
The Governor of Rivers State is the chief executive of the Rivers State government and is one of the governors of the thirty-six states of Nigeria. The governor is supported by the Deputy Governor, both popularly elected for a term of four years. The governor, as head of the executive branch, has the power to appoint commissioners responsible for each of the state's ministries, the heads of parastatals, judicial officers and the state-owned bodies with specific regulatory or administrative duties. He or she cannot be a member of the state House of Assembly.
The objectives of the Court are to: [1]
The president is appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly. To be eligible for the office, the Constitution requires that one must have been a legal practitioner in Nigeria for over 10 years with substantial knowledge and experience in the field of customary law. The first president of the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal was Peter N.C. Agumagu. He served from 2008 until 2014. [3]
The Judiciary of Rivers State is a branch of the Government of Rivers State that has sole authority and responsibility for the interpretation and application of the state's laws as well as the adjudication of disputes or controversies.
The High Court of Justice, Rivers State's highest court, is composed of the Chief Judge of Rivers State and such number of judges appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and subject to confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The federal government of Nigeria is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the Constitution of Nigeria in the National Assembly, the President, and the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, respectively.
The Chief Justice is Fiji's highest judicial officer. The office and its responsibilities are set out in Chapter 5 of the 2013 Constitution of Fiji. The Chief Justice is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is required by the Constitution to consult the Attorney-General. Under the previous 1997 Constitution, the Prime Minister was required to consult with the Leader of the Opposition. The appointment is permanent, until the Chief Justice reaches the age of 75 years.
The Government of Rivers State consists of elected representatives and appointed officials responsible for the government of Rivers State, Nigeria. Rivers State has a population of about 5 million people, and is one of the 36 states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The state government is composed of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, whose powers are vested by the Constitution in the House of Assembly, the Governor and the High Court. The judiciary operates independently of the executive and the legislature. At the local level, elected officials are in charge of local government areas.
The law of Nigeria consists of courts, offences, and various types of laws. Nigeria has its own constitution which was established on 29 May 1999. The Constitution of Nigeria is the supreme law of the country. There are four distinct legal systems in Nigeria, which include English law, Common law, Customary law, and Sharia (Islamic) Law. English law in Nigeria is derived from the colonial Nigeria, while common law is a development from its post colonial independence. Customary law is derived from indigenous traditional norms and practices, including the dispute resolution meetings of pre-colonial Yoruba land secret societies and the Èkpè and Okónkò of Igboland and Ibibioland. Sharia Law (also known as Islamic Law) is used only in Northern Nigeria, where Islam is the predominant religion. The country has a judicial branch, the highest court of which is the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, also known variously as Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike or Nyesom Wike is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who is the sixth and current Governor of Rivers State. He is an Ikwerre from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party and was educated at Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
Mary Ukaego Odili is a Nigerian judge and wife of Peter Odili, who served as Governor of Rivers State from 1999 to 2007. She was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) by President Goodluck Jonathan and was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Katsina-Alu on 23 June 2011.
The Politics of Rivers State function within the framework of a presidential republic, with the Governor of Rivers State as both head of state and head of government. Rivers State is known for a politically engaged citizenry. The official seat of government is in Port Harcourt. Under the Constitution, Executive power is vested in the Governor and he or she exercises them directly. This does not change the fact that such authority may also be exercised through the Deputy Governor or Commissioners. Legislative power is vested in a 32-member unicameral House of Assembly. Judicial power is exercised solely by the judiciary of Rivers State.
The Rivers State Judicial Service Commission established under section 197 (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution is the executive body that handles matters relating to appointment, discipline and promotion of Rivers State's judicial officers and their support staffs. It is chaired by the Chief Judge of the High Court of Rivers State.
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, also known as the Chief Judge of the High Court of Justice, is the title and office of the head of the judicial branch of Rivers State. The Chief Judge presides over the state's High Court, and is usually the most senior judge of that court.
Daisy Wotube Okocha served as the 7th Chief Judge of Rivers State, in charge of the state's High Court of Justice, and Judicial Service Commission. She was appointed to the office by Governor Ezenwo Wike on 4 January 2016, and held it until her retirement on 15 January 2016. She had also served as Chief Judge in an acting capacity before attaining the substantive appointment.
The following is a timeline of the governorship of Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, also known as the Wike administration, from his inauguration as Governor of Rivers State on 29 May 2015 to present.
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Government of Abia State is the supreme governing authority of Abia State and its local governments. It consists of the executive headed by the governor, the legislative and the judiciary.
The Chief Judge of Abia State is the title or office appointed to the head of the judiciary of the Abia State Government. The Chief Judge is appointed by the Governor of Abia State to preside over the state's High Court and also to oversee and supervise its unified court system. The incumbent Chief Judge is Justice Theresa Uzokwe, who was appointed into the position by Theodore Orji on 22 December 2014.
The Judiciary of Abia State is a branch of the Abia State Government that interpretes and applies the laws of Abia State. It acts as a mechanism for dispute resolution and also ensure equal justice under law.
The Inauguration of Ezenwo Nyesom Wike as the 6th Governor of Rivers State took place on Friday, 29 May 2015 at the Liberation Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt. The ceremony marked the beginning of the first four-year term of Ezenwo Nyesom Wike as Governor and Ipalibo Banigo as Deputy Governor.
Christina Nwankwo, also known professionally as Christy Nwankwo is a Judge in Rivers State, Nigeria. Since 25 April 2016, she is the substantive President of the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal. From 2015 until her substantive appointment, she served as acting President of the court, taking over from Peter Agumagu.
The Supreme Court of the Gambia is a superior court of record and the highest court in The Gambia. Established in 1851, it has appellate and original jurisdiction over any law exceeding the powers conferred by the Constitution or any law upon the National Assembly or any other person or authority.