By Festus Okubor
His Lordship,
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN.
My Lord, the CJN, I trust this letter meets you in good stead.
Not being a Lawyer and consequently not at home with right channels of communication with your exalted office, I have elected toeing this open approach because of the urgency of the burden and fear in my mind for the judiciary of Nigeria under your leadership.
I will not attempt to rate the judiciary in terms of public confidence or perception. I believe your research teams are well able to advise you on that.
It is urgent to call on you to use your good offices to direct all Judicial officers to refrain from and refuse to handle any case touching on the political developments in Rivers State, at this point with the exception of The State High Court of Rivers State or The Federal High Court in Rivers State.
This may be seen as an unnecessary advisory, but happenings in courts of recent, make it necessary. A situation where Courts other than those in Rivers dabble into these matters between the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara; Nyesom Wike and the Rivers State House of Assembly will clearly be well understood to be in aid of forum shopping and inspired by enormous corrupt practice.
Such allegations, unfortunately, will need no proof in the court of public opinion and will do great damage to the reputation of the judiciary under your superintendence.
I do not know how else to put this and not incur your wrath, but please accept this as from an innocent heart that means well for you and the judiciary.
Ban all courts and judges other than those of the Rivers State and Federal High Courts in Rivers State, from exercising original jurisdiction in the current political show in Rivers State.
Dr Festus G. Okubor, former Chief Strategist, Chief of Staff, two time commissioner, writes from Asaba