Rivers State Judicial Service Commission

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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.

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.

Contents

Composition

All members are appointed by the governor of Rivers State, with confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The Judicial Service Commission is made up of: [1]

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.

Rivers State House of Assembly legislative arm of a state government in Nigeria

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.

  1. The Chief Judge, as the Chairman;
  2. The Attorney General
  3. The President of the Customary Court of Appeal
  4. Two legal practitioners
  5. Two more persons, who in the Governor's opinion are of unquestionable integrity. [2]

Powers and responsibilities

Part II, third schedule of the 1999 Constitution empowers the Judicial Service Commission to advise and make recommendations to the National Judicial Council (NJC) on appointment, discipline and removal of judicial officers and their assisting staffs. [3]

See also

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.

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References

  1. "RSHA Confirms Judicial Service Commission Nominees". Government of Rivers State. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  2. "Judicial Service Commission Members". Rivers State Judiciary. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  3. An Almanac of Contemporary and Comparative Judicial Restatements (ACCJR Supp. i Private Law). Almanac Foundation. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.