Chief Judge of Rivers State

**Chief Judge** of Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi is the Chief Judge of Rivers State.
Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi was born in Elibrada-Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria. He had his primary education at U.P.E Primary School, Oduoha-Ogbakiri and St. Philip’s Primary, later State School, Elibrada and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1970. He attended County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche, in Rivers State and obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1975. His Lordship attended Federal School of Arts and Science, Sokoto, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) where he obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE ‘A’ Level) in 1977. Educated at the University of Lagos between 1978 and 1981, he obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B Hons) in 1981. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 17th of July, 1982. He underwent the National Youth Service Corps Programme between 1982 and 1983 in Yola, Gongola State now Adamawa State. His sterling quality distinguished him as an ideal youth leader and he won a prize as one of the best corps members of the 1982/1983 set. His Lordship was in private legal practice and a junior partner in the now defunct law firm of Iche N. Ndu & Co., Orogbum Chambers at No. 2 Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt from August 1983 – May 1985. He was appointed and sworn in as a Magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary on 10th May, 1985. By 1992, he had risen to the position of Chief Magistrate Grade 1, having at various periods served in Ahoada, Abua, Omoku, Elimgbu and Bonny/Okrika Magisterial Districts of the Rivers State Judiciary. His Lordship was appointed the Acting Chief Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State on 18th May, 1998 (in fact, of the Rivers State Judiciary since there was no Customary Court of Appeal at that time). He was confirmed substantive Chief Registrar with effect from 1st of January, 1999. He was appointed and sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of Rivers State on the 23rd of April, 2002. His Lordship has served in Port Harcourt, Okrika and Okehi Judicial Divisions. He was the pioneer Judge of the Okehi Judicial Division. His Lordship was sworn in as the Chief Judge of Rivers State on 26th of May, 2021 making him the 9th Chief Judge in the History of Rivers State Judiciary. He is now the Chairman, Rivers State Judiciary Service Commission by virtue of his position as the Chief Judge of Rivers State. His Lordship has held several positions of responsibility within the Judiciary, amongst which are: Chairman, Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter for two terms (1992-1998), Chairman of Panel of three Judges that investigated allegations of gross misconduct against the Vice Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in 2006; Chairman of a 10-Man Committee that proposed and midwifed in 2006 the current Magistrates’ Courts of Rivers State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2007; Member, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, 2007, Kano State; Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Election Appeals Tribunal, 2008; Chairman, Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into “The Violent Invasion and Attack on the Rivers State Judiciary and Destruction of Public Properties, which occurred at the Judiciary Complex, Port Harcourt on May 11, 2018.” Chairman, Local Government Election Appeals Tribunal, 2018.
His Lordship has attended several conferences and workshops/seminars locally and internationally, which include: 2003, 2007 and 2017 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja; “The 29th International Symposium on Economic Crimes” held at Jesus College, Cambridge University, UK in 2011; Workshop/Study Visit on “Criminal Justice Reforms” held in London, UK in August, 2016; Workshops organized by the EFCC in conjunction with National Judicial Institute (NJI) for Justices, Judges and Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), trying and prosecuting corruption cases held in Abuja; Workshops organized by the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (UK), Nigerian branch and, Workshops organized by International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI) in Port Harcourt. His Lordship is an Associate member of both Institutes. His Lordship is a Christian of the Anglican faith. He is married and blessed with children. His hobbies include watching football, travelling and reading the biography of great men and women.
Chief Judge of Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi is the Chief Judge of Rivers State. Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi was born in Elibrada-Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria. He had his primary education at U.P.E Primary School, Oduoha-Ogbakiri and St. Philip’s Primary, later State School, Elibrada and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1970. He attended County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche, in Rivers State and obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1975. His Lordship attended Federal School of Arts and Science, Sokoto, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) where he obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE ‘A’ Level) in 1977. Educated at the University of Lagos between 1978 and 1981, he obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B Hons) in 1981. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 17th of July, 1982. He underwent the National Youth Service Corps Programme between 1982 and 1983 in Yola, Gongola State now Adamawa State. His sterling quality distinguished him as an ideal youth leader and he won a prize as one of the best corps members of the 1982/1983 set. His Lordship was in private legal practice and a junior partner in the now defunct law firm of Iche N. Ndu & Co., Orogbum Chambers at No. 2 Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt from August 1983 – May 1985. He was appointed and sworn in as a Magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary on 10th May, 1985. By 1992, he had risen to the position of Chief Magistrate Grade 1, having at various periods served in Ahoada, Abua, Omoku, Elimgbu and Bonny/Okrika Magisterial Districts of the Rivers State Judiciary. His Lordship was appointed the Acting Chief Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State on 18th May, 1998 (in fact, of the Rivers State Judiciary since there was no Customary Court of Appeal at that time). He was confirmed substantive Chief Registrar with effect from 1st of January, 1999. He was appointed and sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of Rivers State on the 23rd of April, 2002. His Lordship has served in Port Harcourt, Okrika and Okehi Judicial Divisions. He was the pioneer Judge of the Okehi Judicial Division. His Lordship was sworn in as the Chief Judge of Rivers State on 26th of May, 2021 making him the 9th Chief Judge in the History of Rivers State Judiciary. He is now the Chairman, Rivers State Judiciary Service Commission by virtue of his position as the Chief Judge of Rivers State. His Lordship has held several positions of responsibility within the Judiciary, amongst which are: Chairman, Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter for two terms (1992-1998), Chairman of Panel of three Judges that investigated allegations of gross misconduct against the Vice Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in 2006; Chairman of a 10-Man Committee that proposed and midwifed in 2006 the current Magistrates’ Courts of Rivers State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2007; Member, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, 2007, Kano State; Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Election Appeals Tribunal, 2008; Chairman, Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into “The Violent Invasion and Attack on the Rivers State Judiciary and Destruction of Public Properties, which occurred at the Judiciary Complex, Port Harcourt on May 11, 2018.” Chairman, Local Government Election Appeals Tribunal, 2018. His Lordship has attended several conferences and workshops/seminars locally and internationally, which include: 2003, 2007 and 2017 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja; “The 29th International Symposium on Economic Crimes” held at Jesus College, Cambridge University, UK in 2011; Workshop/Study Visit on “Criminal Justice Reforms” held in London, UK in August, 2016; Workshops organized by the EFCC in conjunction with National Judicial Institute (NJI) for Justices, Judges and Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), trying and prosecuting corruption cases held in Abuja; Workshops organized by the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (UK), Nigerian branch and, Workshops organized by International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI) in Port Harcourt. His Lordship is an Associate member of both Institutes. His Lordship is a Christian of the Anglican faith. He is married and blessed with children. His hobbies include watching football, travelling and reading the biography of great men and women.
	Incumbent; Justice ; since 26 May 2021
	Judiciary of Rivers State
Abbreviation	CJ
Seat	High Court of Justice, Rivers State
Appointer	Governor of Rivers State
Term length	age of 65 yrs
Constituting instrument	Constitution of 1999 (Section 271)
Formation	1970
First holder	Justice (1970 - 1976)
Final holder	Justice (2021-present)
Website	The Chief Judge

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, also known as the Chief Judge of the High Court of Justice, is the title and office of the head of the judicial branch of Rivers State. The Chief Judge presides over the state's High Court, and is usually the most senior judge of that court.^[2]

As of 2021, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi is currently the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi is the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi was born in Elibrada-Emohua, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria. He had his primary education at U.P.E Primary School, Oduoha-Ogbakiri and St. Philip’s Primary, later State School, Elibrada and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1970. He attended County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche, in Rivers State and obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1975. Read More

His Lordship attended Federal School of Arts and Science, Sokoto, for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) where he obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE ‘A’ Level) in 1977. Educated at the University of Lagos between 1978 and 1981, he obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B Hons) in 1981. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 17th of July, 1982. He underwent the National Youth Service Corps Programme between 1982 and 1983 in Yola, Gongola State now Adamawa State.

His sterling quality distinguished him as an ideal youth leader and he won a prize as one of the best corps members of the 1982/1983 set. His Lordship was in private legal practice and a junior partner in the now defunct law firm of Iche N. Ndu & Co., Orogbum Chambers at No. 2 Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt from August 1983 – May 1985. He was appointed and sworn in as a Magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary on 10th May, 1985. By 1992, he had risen to the position of Chief Magistrate Grade 1, having at various periods served in Ahoada, Abua, Omoku, Elimgbu and Bonny/Okrika Magisterial Districts of the Rivers State Judiciary.

His Lordship was appointed the Acting Chief Registrar of the High Court of Rivers State on 18th May, 1998 (in fact, of the Rivers State Judiciary since there was no Customary Court of Appeal at that time). He was confirmed substantive Chief Registrar with effect from 1st of January, 1999. He was appointed and sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of Rivers State on the 23rd of April, 2002. His Lordship has served in Port Harcourt, Okrika and Okehi Judicial Divisions. He was the pioneer Judge of the Okehi Judicial Division. His Lordship was sworn in as the Chief Judge of Rivers State on 26th of May, 2021 making him the 9th Chief Judge in the History of Rivers State Judiciary. He is now the Chairman, Rivers State Judiciary Service Commission by virtue of his position as the Chief Judge of Rivers State.

His Lordship has held several positions of responsibility within the Judiciary, amongst which are: Chairman, Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter for two terms (1992-1998), Chairman of Panel of three Judges that investigated allegations of gross misconduct against the Vice Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in 2006; Chairman of a 10-Man Committee that proposed and midwifed in 2006 the current Magistrates’ Courts of Rivers State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2007; Member, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, 2007, Kano State; Chairman, Rivers State Local Government Election Appeals Tribunal, 2008; Chairman, Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into “The Violent Invasion and Attack on the Rivers State Judiciary and Destruction of Public Properties, which occurred at the Judiciary Complex, Port Harcourt on May 11, 2018.” Chairman, Local Government Election Appeals Tribunal, 2018.

His Lordship has attended several conferences and workshops/seminars locally and internationally, which include: 2003, 2007 and 2017 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference in Abuja; “The 29th International Symposium on Economic Crimes” held at Jesus College, Cambridge University, UK in 2011; Workshop/Study Visit on “Criminal Justice Reforms” held in London, UK in August, 2016; Workshops organized by the EFCC in conjunction with National Judicial Institute (NJI) for Justices, Judges and Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), trying and prosecuting corruption cases held in Abuja; Workshops organized by the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (UK), Nigerian branch and, Workshops organized by International Dispute Resolution Institute (IDRI) in Port Harcourt. His Lordship is an Associate member of both Institutes. His Lordship is a Christian of the Anglican faith. He is married and blessed with children. His hobbies include watching football, travelling and reading the biography of great men and women.

Appointment[]

Appointment to the Office is made by the Governor on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of the appointment by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Duties and responsibilities[]

The Chief Judge of Rivers State has the responsibility of chairing the Judicial Service Commission as well as coordinating the judicial branch.^[3] As the judge with most seniority, the Chief Judge administers the oath of office at the Governor's inauguration and may create rules to regulate the operations of the High Court in the state.^[4]

List of Chief Judges[]

No.	Chief Judge	Term of Office
1		1970 - 1976
2	Ambrose E. Allagoa	1976 - 1979
3		1979 - 1992
4		1992 - 1996
5		1996 - 2001
6		2001 - 2013
7	Daisy W. Okocha	4 January 2016 - 15 January 2016
8	Adama Lamikanra	15 January 2016 - 26 May 2021
9	Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi	26 May 2021 - Present

References[]

^ "Periscoping 2013 Legal Year". The Tide. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
^ "Appointment Of (Acting) Chief Judge Of Rivers State". The Tide. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
^ "Judicial Service Commission Members". Riversjudiciary.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
^ "I won't fail you, Amaechi promises". OnlineNigeria. 31 October 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2015.^{[permanent dead link]}

External links[]

Official website

[1] "Periscoping 2013 Legal Year". The Tide. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.

[CJ-2] "Appointment Of (Acting) Chief Judge Of Rivers State". The Tide. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2015.

[3] "Judicial Service Commission Members". Riversjudiciary.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.

[4] "I won't fail you, Amaechi promises". OnlineNigeria. 31 October 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2015.^{[permanent dead link]}

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v t Government of Rivers State
Executive Council
Executive	Governor list Deputy Governor Attorney General Secretary to the State Government Chief of Staff
Judicial	High Court of Justice Chief Judge Customary Court of Appeal
Legislative	Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Assembly constituencies
Ministries	Agriculture Budget and Economic Planning Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Commerce and Industry Culture and Tourism Education Energy and Natural Resources Employment Generation and Empowerment Environment Finance Health Information and Communications Justice Local Government Affairs Power Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Special Duties Transport Urban Development Water Resources and Rural Development Women Affairs Works Youth Development
Agencies and parastatals	Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency Road Traffic Management Authority University of Science and Technology Rivers State Television Authority Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency Rivers State Polytechnic Internal Revenue Service Rivers State Newspaper Corporation Rivers State Microfinance Agency Housing and Property Development Authority Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority College of Health Science and Technology Port Harcourt Polytechnic Rivers State University of Education Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation Agricultural Development Programme Universal Basic Education Board Senior Secondary Schools Board Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board Rivers State Waste Management Agency Rivers State Fire Service Economic Advisory Council Rivers State Police Tourism Development Agency
Commissions	Civil Service Commission Independent Electoral Commission Judicial Service Commission Local Government Service Commission
Rivers State Civil Service