RIVERS: Wike blames ‘misinformed’ lawyers for his govt’s inability to enhance justice administration

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike has lambasted some legal practitioners in his state and at national level for working against the smooth administration of justice through their shoddy interpretation of the law.

Wike, who described the lawyers as misinformed, noted that they have poor grasp of how budgets function and what the role of government in creating congenial atmosphere for administration of justice.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, Wike said this while performing the formal opening of a legal firm; L. A. Mitee and Company (Inata Chambers), in Port Harcourt, on Friday.

The statement, however, noted that the governor would be distracted by the activities of these mischievous lawyers in supporting the judiciary in its efforts to dispense justice without fear or favour.

The statement read in part, “These misinformed lawyers politicise issues of justice administration and sometimes resort to legal battles without a clear understanding of the position of the law on such matters.

“Just this morning, the Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice came to me that one lawyer in Port Harcourt went to court against the state government. He said we have no business in building houses for judges, we have no business providing cars for judges.

“He said we have no business in building courts for federal institutions and that I have no right to even contribute to the structures in the Nigeria Law School.

“What will be our contribution to the administration of justice when the structures are dilapidated? That lawyer is saying that what we are doing is not budgeted for. Everybody parades themselves as if they know the law even when they don’t know the law.”

Earlier, the principal partner of L. A. Mitee and Co., Mr Ledum Mitee said the law firm in Port Harcourt would be a highly competitive legal chamber that would serve as a mentoring hub for junior lawyers and for legal advocacy.

The President of the Port Harcourt branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Prince Nyekwere, urged Wike not to be weary in his support for the judiciary, which he said had enhanced the process of administration of justice in the country, even as he lauded Mitee for giving back to the society.