Rivers: Lawmakers urge NJC, Appeal Court President to call Justice Barka to order






The Opposition Lawmakers Coalition in Nigeria has raised alarm over alleged plot by Justice Barka PJ Appeal Court Division to return back to preside over a matter by the Pro Wike group already transferred to a special panel.

Recall that Rivers State Government last month appealed the Federal High Court, Abuja’s judgment which retrained the Central Bank of Nigeria from further releasing allocations from the federation account to the state. Ruling on the matter is set for today.

However, the opposition Coalition in a statement by its spokesperson, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere stated that they have credible intelligence and evidence that Justice Barka will preside over the session today.

According to him, Barka had earlier in open court recused himself from Appeals involving Rivers State., wondering why he has all of a sudden decided to preside the matter now.

Ugochinyere said, "A special panel was constituted to hear appeals concerning Rivers State. The below appeals came before the special panel last Thursday, 14th November 2024, and were adjourned to tomorrow for hearing. Also, the APC defection case was adjourned to 24th January 2025. After today's judgment by the Special Panel, under intense pressure from Wike, the Special Panel has been disbanded by the President of the Court of Appeal.

"CA/1277/2024, CA/1303/2024, CA/1293/2024, CA/ABJ/1287/2024....All this cases has now been consolidated into this - CA/1196/2024. Hon Justice Barka, Hon Justice Bonjoko, Hon Justice Obiora."

The Lawmakers called on the National Judicial Council, NJC to call him to order, adding that any judgement in favour of seizing the Rivers State allocation is an unenforceable height of judicial rascality, invitation to anarchy.

"Like I said before, the pro-Wike group and the Federal High Court Abuja have shown that they are anarchist and anti-people and warming up to ignite anger and confusion that can consume the current democratic settings like the shameful criss of the 60s and 80s.

The president is now going to be at the receiving end if anything happens to the funds of people of Rivers State President Tinubu should remember that his government in Lagos secured the Supreme Court judgement during his fight with Obasanjo, which barred the seizure of LGA allocation , so he doesn't need to be reminded on what to do in the face of these manifest desire for constitutional anarchy by his appointees.

"Justice Barka had earlier in open court recused himself from Appeals involving Rivers State., we wonder why he has all of a sudden decided to preside the matter now? There can only be one reason. We are calling on the National Judicial Council, NJC to him to order, adding that any judgement in favour of seizing the Rivers State allocation is an unenforceable height of judicial rascality, invitation to anarchy."

Correct.