LAGOS, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that the closure of the courts for close to one year constituted the darkest days in the history of the state.
In a statement by his spokesman, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, September 9, 2015, while receiving a delegation from the ECOWAS Community Court.
Wike said that the situation in Rivers state was worsened because the civil society organisations and human rights groups kept quiet for inexplicable reasons.
He pointed out that the closure of the courts in the state led to hardship for majority of the people, as they were denied access to justice.
Wike, however, pledged that his administration would enhance the course of justice and the independence of the judiciary.
The governor assured the leadership of the ECOWAS Community Court of the cooperation and partnership of Rivers state.
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Community Court, Justice Chijioke Woke, informed Governor Wike that he was in the state to sensitise the people on the existence of the court.
He said that the court remained open to citizens, who have issues with member-countries on human rights.
Credit: Daily Independent (Nigeria)
