Rivers APC Crisis: Okocha Refuses To Apologize For Criticising Judge
1 year ago 4 min read
Share:
…As NBA Slams Him for “Distasteful” Attack on Judge
The Acting Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tony Okocha has dismissed the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) demand for an apology over his criticism of Judges in Rivers State, calling it “trash”.
The NBA had condemned Okocha’s “unfounded” attack on Judges, describing it as “contemptible” and demanding a retraction and apology.
But Okocha in a popular radio talk show programme in Port Harcourt monitored by The WHISTLER dismissed the NBA demand.
Okocha who had accused the Judges of bias, said he won’t apologize for speaking the truth.
He said: “I am sure that they know that this Judge, first I wrote petition against him and 6 other judges in Rivers State and they are lying down at NJC as we speak.
“This particular one, I took him on, I wrote to the chief judge and say look, this man is biased and there are bias trappings in him and those who contracted him to do particular job had left the group and had come to us to tell us who he is. I wrote a petition it is dated 20th March 2024. I told him you are biased.
“I will not apologise, I have done nothing and I will not tender any apology to anybody.”
Okocha also questioned the legitimacy of the NBA Forum of Chairmen, saying it’s not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“I have done nothing to warrant apologies to anybody – not even the NBA Chairmen Forum. I am sure that organisation is not registered with CAC.
“I do not know about APC Judgment in Rivers State that I will accept. But the law is the law. Apologies to who? I read this yesterday and I threw it in to the trash can. I heard Forum of chairmen of NBA, I am hearing it for the first time. I had been in government for many years I have never heard of that nomenclature before.
“Are they saying that in their respective branches this issue was discuss and they have the mandate of the branches to go on air?”
“Or somebody assumes position because he is Chairman of a group and he says he is speaking for this group. I also have my group of lawyers that will respond to this. As far as I am concerned it is a trash.”
Meanwhile, NBA in Rivers State had in an early statement strongly condemned Okocha’s public statements against Judges of the High Court, describing them as “spurious, unfounded, and contemptible”.
The Association condemned Okocha’s “unfounded and unsubstantiated” allegations against High Court Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku.
Okocha had accused the judge of bribery and bias in a press briefing, claiming he was compromised in a case involving the APC.
But the NBA, represented by its 8 branch chairmen in Rivers State, during a press briefing in Port Harcourt described Okocha’s claims as “distasteful” and “contemptible”.
Mrs. Cordelia Uwuma Eke, the Chaiman of Port Harcourt Branch who read the position of the Association argued that litigants cannot choose which judge handles their case and cannot make baseless allegations of bias or bribery without evidence.
The statement was signed by; Cordelia U. Eke, Chairman, Port Harcourt Branch; Dr. Cashmia Ofurum, Chairman, Ahoada Branch; Dr. Celestine N. Nwankwo, Chairman, Bori Branch;Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire (Ph.D.), Chairman, Okehi Branch; Dr. Nuleera Ambrose Duson, Chairman, Degema Branch; Abiye A. Abo, Chairman, Okrika Branch; Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Chairman, Omoku Branch; Ekeledinichukwu Ordu, Chairman.
They warned that such attacks erode public trust in the judiciary and are actionable in law.
The NBA urged Okocha to appeal the judgment if dissatisfied, rather than resorting to name-calling and abuse against the judge.
The NBA demanded that Okocha immediately retract his statements and tender a public apology to the affected Judges, including Hon. Justice S.H. Aprioku, Hon. Justice C.N. Wali, and Hon. Justice G.O. Ollor.
The lawyers’ association emphasized that Judges are apolitical and operate under a strict Code of Conduct, and should not be subjected to harassment or abuse.
They warned that such unfounded comments amount to contempt and may attract legal action.
The NBA urged litigants and the public to refrain from harassing Judges and instead focus on their cases.
