Activist Urges Rivers Governor Fubara to Revoke Properties Allocated to Justice Omotoso & Other Judges by Wike

Port Harcourt – The Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership has called on the Rivers State Government to revoke property allocations granted to certain High Court judges by the previous administration of Chief Nyesom Wike. The activist group argues that such allocations contravene ethical guidelines and undermine public trust in the judiciary.

At a press conference in Port Harcourt, the group’s leader, Barr. Chizy Enyi, presented documentation reportedly obtained from the Rivers State Ministry of Land and Survey. The documents revealed that plots in GRA Phase 8, Port Harcourt, were allocated to prominent judicial officers, including Justice James Omotosho (Plot 104), Justice Osho Oshomah (Plot 287), and Justice Muhammed Sam. The allocations were also extended to influential individuals and security personnel.

Allegations of Misconduct

According to Enyi, the properties in question were initially revoked by Wike in 2016 under the guise of public use but were secretly reallocated in 2019. These allocations, Enyi argued, violated the Land Use Act, which mandates that revoked properties be designated for public purposes rather than private gifting.

“It is troubling to see judicial officers accepting gifts that clearly conflict with professional conduct rules,” Enyi stated. “Rule 10 of the Professional Conduct for Judicial Officers explicitly prohibits judges from receiving gifts or favors that could compromise their impartiality.”

Enyi questioned the propriety of the allocations, particularly the case of Justice Omotosho, who was allegedly allocated a plot previously owned by Hon. Odien Ajumogobia, SAN. The Certificate of Occupancy for this property was reportedly revoked without notice. “Even if the judge purchased the land, due diligence would have revealed its original ownership and the fact that it was revoked for public use. As a judicial officer, why accept such a property?” Enyi queried.

Implications for Judicial Integrity

The activist group expressed concerns that these allocations could cast doubt on judicial impartiality. Enyi suggested that recent court rulings perceived to favor Wike might be influenced by these gifts, thereby undermining public confidence in the judiciary.

The group called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene by directing the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to refrain from assigning politically sensitive cases involving Rivers State to judges who benefited from these allocations.

“As a watchdog organization, we are deeply concerned about the growing perception that the judiciary serves the interests of those with personal ties to judges,” Enyi lamented. “The judiciary should remain the beacon of hope for all citizens, not a platform for favoritism.”

A Call for Action

The Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership has urged the Rivers State Government, led by Governor Siminialayi Fubara, to take swift action. They recommend the immediate revocation of these allocations and the implementation of transparent processes to ensure public resources serve their intended purpose.

“The law must be upheld,” Enyi concluded. “Governance thrives on accountability, and the Rivers State Government has a duty to rectify this situation in the interest of justice and public trust.”