By Samuel Oyadongha

YENAGOA- THE Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, in Bayelsa State, has urged Governor Seriake Dickson to appoint more judges to fill vacant courts in the state judiciary.

Dickson

The CLO, through the Bayelsa State Chairman, Nengi James-Eriworio, noted that its investigation revealed that since 2016, over three courts had become vacant due to the demise of Justice G. S. Botei of High Court 3, the promotion of Justice B. A. Ugoh of High Court 7 and the retirement of Justice Margaret Akpomienmien of High Court 2.

CLO, in a letter dated 20th of April, 2018 and addressed to the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and copied the State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, stated that the letter was meant to draw the attention of the state government to the need for the employment of more judges.

The letter reads: “The request is premised on the CLO field report that there are now vacant courts in the state judiciary for urgent attention. We agree that the state is undergoing serious economic crisis, there is the need to meet the National Judicial Council (NJC) guidelines in the appointment of judges in the state. The appointment of judges should be given priority attention as the judicial sector is no doubt a critical sector.”