The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals filed by the suspended chief judge of Rivers State, Justice P.N.C. Agumagu.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended Agumagu after he was sworn in as the chief judge of Rivers State by the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
According to NJC, Agumagu was not recommended to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the state before he was sworn-in by the governor as the chief judge.
Not satisfied with his suspension, Agumagu filed an application for a judicial review of the NJC’s directive suspending him.
In the appeal, Agumagu said the Court of Appeal was wrong in its interpretation of the provisions of the Court of Appeal Practice Direction of 2013.
Dismissing the appeal, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, said, “We have examined this, and the other grounds of appeal and are satisfied that the issues in the appeal are matters that can be brought to this court when the appeals are concluded.
“Accordingly, application for a stay of proceedings of the pending appeals in the court of appeal is hereby struck out. Notice of Appeal to this court is also struck out.”
The apex court dismissed the three appeals on the ground that the appeals were premature.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended Agumagu after he was sworn in as the chief judge of Rivers State by the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
According to NJC, Agumagu was not recommended to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the state before he was sworn-in by the governor as the chief judge.
Not satisfied with his suspension, Agumagu filed an application for a judicial review of the NJC’s directive suspending him.
In the appeal, Agumagu said the Court of Appeal was wrong in its interpretation of the provisions of the Court of Appeal Practice Direction of 2013.
Dismissing the appeal, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, said, “We have examined this, and the other grounds of appeal and are satisfied that the issues in the appeal are matters that can be brought to this court when the appeals are concluded.
“Accordingly, application for a stay of proceedings of the pending appeals in the court of appeal is hereby struck out. Notice of Appeal to this court is also struck out.”
The apex court dismissed the three appeals on the ground that the appeals were premature.