By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik has warned court registrars against corruption, negligence, and other forms of misconduct capable of undermining the administration of justice in the state.

The warning was given during a training programme organized for court registrars, aimed at improving efficiency, professionalism, and service delivery within the judiciary.

The Chief Judge emphasized the critical role registrars play in ensuring the smooth administration of justice and noted that the training was designed to address key challenges facing the courts.

According to Her, while many registrars have demonstrated dedication and commitment to duty, several shortcomings continue to affect the justice system. These include delays in processing and transmitting court records, poor record keeping, failure to comply promptly with judicial directives, errors in preparing court documents, and inadequate handling of sensitive court records and exhibits.

Other concerns highlighted were lack of professionalism in dealing with litigants and legal practitioners, resistance to technological innovations and digitization efforts, breaches of confidentiality, absenteeism, lateness, indiscipline, and corruption.

The Chief Judge noted that such practices have the potential to delay justice, erode public confidence in the judiciary, and damage the reputation of the courts.

Justice Halima Abdulmalik particularly condemned the demand or collection of gratification for processing bail applications, production warrants, or listing cases on the court cause list. He disclosed that the Judicial Service Commission had dismissed some officers in the previous year over such misconduct, stressing that corruption and unethical practices have no place in the judiciary.

Justice Halima assured participants that the judiciary remains committed to the welfare, capacity building, and professional development of registrars.

However, he warned that any officer found guilty of negligence, insubordination, dereliction of duty, falsification of records, undue delays, or any conduct capable of bringing the judiciary into disrepute would face appropriate disciplinary measures in line with established rules and regulations.

The Chief Judge urged all participants to take advantage of the training to improve their competence, integrity, diligence, and professionalism.

She expressed confidence that the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme would enhance their performance and contribute to more effective service delivery across courts in Niger State.

She wished the participants fruitful deliberations and prayed for continued progress and success for the Niger State Judiciary.

Speaking with journalists, the secretary Education Committee of the Niger State Judiciary Mallam Ahmed Suleiman Musa Esq, explained that since the inception of Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik as the ChiefJudge, she has initiated a series of training workshops for all cadres of staff of the Judiciary.

He stated that Magistrates and other categories of workers in the state Judiciary have attended similar training to equip them on their responsibility in the discharge of their duty in their respective courts.

According to the Secretary,the education committee decided to embark on the workshop to train all Court registrars of High Courts and Magistrates across the State to update their knowledge on their duty as Registrar.

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has ordered a complete seal off of the site of a five- storey building which collapsed on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring several others in Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara who visited the site of the disaster on Thursday to assess the situation, said the site will remain “completely sealed off” until the government gets to the “root cause” of the incident.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi,the governor described the incident as unfortunate but observed that preliminary investigation had shown that the developer had earlier refused to subject his site to inspection by the state authorities and comply with the necessary building regulations.

The Governor, who inspected the site alongside the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sir Amairigha Edward Hart, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Dabite Sokari George, explained that he couldn’t visit the site the previous day because he was awaiting formal briefing from the relevant agency of government on the situation.

“We’re here to see for ourselves the very unfortunate incident that took place here. I didn’t come yesterday because I wanted to get the report first, and the Commissioner did brief me that the incident site, first, is not as claimed by the developer, that it’s not under the jurisdiction of the state; that it’s under the jurisdiction of the Federal Housing Authority.

“He also informed me that when the project was ongoing, they came here severally to inspect what was happening and also to see the level of compliance. But unfortunately, that the developer kept claiming that we don’t have any right to interfere,” he said.
Governor Fubara said that the issue was no longer about interference but about the life lost to the building collapse and the collateral damage brought upon the family of the deceased. He extended condolences to the families of the victims, insisting that the incident could have been avoided if the developer had complied with the rules guiding the engineering design and construction of such a structure in the 21st century.

“We feel very sorry and very regretful that such an incident should be happening in this 21st century. 21st century because technology has advanced, engineering has developed. I wonder what kind of engineer would even allow this kind of project to go on when everything about it from inception has been faulty.
“I think that at this point,nothing is going to happen on this site any more. We are going to make sure that this place is completely sealed off until we get to the root cause of this incident,” Governor Fubara stated.

By Our Correspondent

The sudden collapse of a five-storey building under construction in Rivers State on Wednesday has left One person confirmed dead, two others hospitalised with injuries, while several more workers remain trapped.

The building reportedly caved in on Wednesday afternoon along Peter Odili Road in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of the State, causing panic among residents and passersby as construction workers were trapped beneath the rubble.

An eyewitness who was identified as Victor told journalists that the structure collapsed with a loud noise, drawing the attention of residents who rushed to the scene and immediately commenced rescue efforts.

According to him, residents used manual tools and bare hands to pull out victims from the debris before excavators and emergency responders arrived to intensify the rescue operation.

“Some persons are still trapped inside. I think one aboki is still there. I have not also seen our brother.”

Another eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said, “I personally heard a woman’s voice shouting for help, but for the past 30 mins they have been searching but she is yet to be found. Searching is still ongoing,” she said.

Speaking at the scene, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said emergency medical teams and ambulances were swiftly deployed following reports of the collapse.

He said officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies were also on ground to rescue the victims.

Wachukwu said, “We are here at Peter Odili Road following the disturbing news that there is a building collapsed.

“As a health team, we immediately mobilised ambulances and personnel to support the rescue operation.

“So far, three persons have been rescued from the rubble. They sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“We have also activated the hospital’s emergency response unit. The Head of the Emergency Department is already on ground, while NEMA, the Road Safety Corps, Civil Defence and other security agencies are all participating in the rescue efforts. All hands are on deck to ensure that anyone still trapped is rescued,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were ongoing, while emergency responders continued searching through the debris for possible survivors.

The latest incident occurred barely 24 hours after another three-storey building under construction collapsed along Slaughter Road, off Iwofe Road in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.