The Rivers State Judiciary has categorically denied reports that the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, is set to embark on a year’s leave.
The denial was made in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on Thursday.
A media report had claimed on Wednesday that Amadi announced the one-year leave amid the political crisis in the state. The report suggested that the purported move was seen as a setback to the rumored impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
However, Ihua-Maduenyi described the allegation as misleading, false, and baseless. He stated that the Chief Judge neither announced nor intends to announce embarking on any recess or extended recess leave. According to Ihua-Maduenyi, the rumored recess is alien to the judicial officer’s calendar of vacations.
The statement explained that the vacation calendar of judicial officers is of public knowledge, namely: Christmas vacation, Easter vacation, and annual vacation. Ihua-Maduenyi advised the public to utterly disregard the “misguided publication aimed at causing ill-will, disaffection, and confusion in the state.”
The report had sparked concerns about the potential implications of the Chief Judge’s leave on the state’s judiciary and the ongoing political crisis. However, with the judiciary’s denial, it appears that the report was baseless and intended to cause mischief.
The Rivers State Judiciary’s prompt denial of the report has helped to clarify the situation and prevent any potential confusion. It is essential for the media and the public to verify information before spreading it to avoid causing harm to individuals and institutions.