NBA Decries Absence Of Substantive Attorney-General In Rivers

Chairman, Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Chinedu S. Maduba, has expressed concern over the continued absence of a substantive Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State.

He said the situation was having far-reaching consequences on the administration of justice and business activities in the state.

Maduba, who spoke on behalf of the nine NBA branches in the State, stated this during the opening ceremony of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary, held in Port Harcourt, recently.

He called on the state government to urgently fill the vacant position due to its importance in the daily running of the administration.

According to him, the absence of a substantive Attorney-General has resulted in the accumulation of applications requiring the consent of the Attorney-General, including applications for fiats and nolle prosequi, thereby affecting the effective administration of justice.

He said the development was not only affecting legal practitioners but was also depriving the state government of valuable revenue and, more importantly, denying members of the public timely access to justice.

The NBA chairman further explained that the situation had also slowed down business activities involving proper land documentation, stressing that the consequences of the vacancy extended beyond the legal profession to the wider economy of the State.

Maduba said the NBA acknowledged the efforts of the State Government in nominating an Attorney-General in the past, but urged the governor to look into the matter and recommend a substantive occupant of the office within the shortest possible time.

He also presented the specific needs of the various NBA branches in the state, saying the Port Harcourt Branch was seeking improved security around the High Court premises and parking areas following reported cases of theft involving vehicles belonging to lawyers and litigants.

He said the Isiokpo Branch was requesting two additional courtrooms each for the Customary Courts in Isiokpo and Rumuji, an additional Magistrate Court, provision of conveniences at the Isiokpo High Court and the raising of the perimeter fence of the court premises.

The Okrika Branch of the NBA, he said, was seeking the construction of befitting Customary Court buildings in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo Local Government Areas, as well as completion of its branch secretariat, while the Okehi Branch required adequate personnel for the Magistrate and Customary Courts in Etche, furniture and fittings for the various Customary Courts and urgent renovation of conveniences and court buildings.

Maduba further disclosed that the newly created Oyigbo Branch was seeking government assistance towards the construction of its secretariat, stressing that the various demands could be effectively addressed if the Judiciary enjoyed full financial autonomy.

He also called for an increase in the number of High Court judges to reduce the workload on the Bench, noting that some judges were handling more than 30 cases on their daily cause lists and over 400 cases in their dockets.

The NBA Chairman urged the Judiciary to deepen the use of technology, strengthen case management, reduce unnecessary adjournments and further improve the electronic filing system, while calling for reforms in criminal justice administration and improved welfare for Law officers, including payment of outstanding statutory allowances and car grants.

Meanwhile, the NBA has commended the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, for reforms in the Judiciary, including the strengthening of e-filing, reduction of Multi-Door Courthouse fees and introduction of the State Plea Bargain Guidelines.

The Association urged the Bar and Bench to continue working together to ensure faster dispensation of justice and renewed public confidence in the judicial system.

By: King Onunwor