Chetam Thierry Mwala, a lawyer, activist, and leader of the Trust Africa Initiative, has publicly condemned the recent press statement issued by OCJ Okocha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and prominent member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Mwala’s remarks come in the wake of the local government elections held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, followed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s swearing-in of the newly elected chairmen on October 6, 2024.
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Details of the Local Government Elections:
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted local government elections in 23 council areas, with the Action Peoples Party (APP) emerging victorious in 22 of these areas and the Action Alliance claiming one chairmanship seat. The electoral process has faced scrutiny, leading to divergent opinions and legal interpretations regarding the conduct and legitimacy of the elections.
Mwala’s Critique of Okocha:
In his statement, Mwala expressed disappointment that a seasoned legal practitioner like OCJ Okocha would make comments that were perceived as undermining the judiciary’s integrity. He noted that Okocha has been a bar member since 1978 and is viewed as a role model by many younger lawyers.
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Mwala argued that, as a senior figure, Okocha should uphold the values of the legal profession and contribute positively to the judiciary rather than supporting what he described as a multiplicity of conflicting court judgments.
Call for Judicial Integrity:
Mwala emphasized the growing public disillusionment with the judiciary, which he believes is exacerbated by influential figures misinterpreting laws and court rulings. He highlighted the importance of adhering to legal principles, explicitly referencing a prior judgment from a High Court in Rivers State that permitted the local government elections to proceed.
Mwala reiterated that in cases of conflicting court orders, the first ruling in time should prevail, a legal principle he feels is being overlooked.
Demand for NBA Leadership Intervention:
Mwala called on the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association to hold OCJ Okocha accountable for his statements and to reinforce the necessity of interpreting court judgments accurately to maintain public confidence in the judiciary.
He stressed the need for all members of the legal profession to respect the sanctity of the judiciary and warned against allowing personal interests to corrupt judicial processes.
Chetam Thierry Mwala’s remarks serve as a passionate plea for the judiciary’s integrity in Nigeria, especially in light of the recent local government elections in Rivers State. His condemnation of OCJ Okocha reflects a broader concern among younger lawyers and activists about the potential erosion of judicial credibility by established legal figures.
As the local government chairmen take office, the focus remains on how their leadership will impact governance and the rule of law in the region.
OCJ Okocha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a prominent member of the Nigerian Bar Association made a controversial statement regarding the local government elections held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024.
He criticized the actions of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), asserting that the elections should not proceed due to an existing Federal High Court order that purportedly halted the electoral process.
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Okocha’s comments drew criticism from various quarters, including Mwala argued that Okocha uphold the integrity of the judiciary rather than undermine it. He emphasized that the local government elections were validated by a prior High Court order that permitted the RSIEC to conduct the elections, stating that the judgment from the High Court takes precedence over any subsequent orders from the Federal High Court.
