By Dayo Benson

Amid insinuations in some quarters that Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, has been  interfering in performance of judges functions , the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Worgu Boms, has debunked the allegation describing it  as not only  a criminal contempt but also desperation of  emerging political group in the state.

In a Press statement titled- ‘Rivers State Does Not Have Only Four Incorruptible Judges’, the Attorney- General condemned a publication that Governor Amaechi was teleguiding the state Acting Chief Judge,Justice P.N.C Agumagu, by asking him  to transfer some political cases from four ‘incorruptible judges.”

Boms, who had just returned from Boston,USA where he attended the one-week International Bar Conference (IBA) said  “Ag. Chief Judge has commenced the transfer of those cases from four of these 35 judges, who  they described as uncompromising and unapproachable to the other Judges who are willing to do the bidding of His Excellency, the Governor(long words for Corruption),the group is clearly alleging that the other eminent, hard-working and conscientious judges are corruptible .Having appeared before all of them as a practising lawyer, I  can confidently so describe them as conscientious and hardworking”.

Describing the involvement of the Chief Registrar in the issue as unfortunate, Hon. Boms, submitted that, “the learned Registrar has so quickly brought into the matter the name and activities of the recently retired Chief Judge who ordinarily should be left to enjoy his retirement”, adding that “It will be appreciated if the Learned Chief Registrar makes public the complaint of the lawyer to the Governor and the Hon.Attorney-General.

“The polity cannot make real progress with this style and brand of politics with blackmail as its trademarks. I appeal that in the interest of all those who live in this state,the judiciary which has its several inherent systems of self-correction including its appellate machinery should not be treated as mowan group are doing through several sponsored publications by different names.”

Appealing to the governor’s accusers, the attorney-general said  “Let all political bitterness cease. Let political power and relevance be sought for through decent,non-violent and rule-based means, for judges are the last bastion of our civilization”.