The Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership has urged the Rivers State Government to revoke properties granted to certain High Court judges by the previous administration of Chief Nyesom Wike.

The group specifically urged the current governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revoke the properties given to Justice James Omotosho and other judges, emphasizing that it is inappropriate for a governor to gift public property to individuals on a personal level.

At a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the initiative presented a document it allegedly obtained from the State Ministry of Land and Survey, which listed Justice James Omotosho as a recipient of Plot 104 GRA Phase 8, Justice Osho Oshomah with Plot 287, GRA Phase 8, and Justice Muhammed Sam, along with other top security personnel and influential individuals in the country.

Barr. Chizy Enyi, the group’s leader, noted that Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for these properties in 2016. However, in 2019, Wike secretly reallocated these properties to several High Court judges and other individuals.

Enyi explained that under the Land Use Act, any property revoked from an individual must be used for public purposes, not given away as a gift.

He said, “It is worrisome that some judicial officers are violating their professional conduct rules, which should be cautious of gifts, favors, or advantages from individuals. Rule 10 of the Professional Conduct for Judicial Officers prohibits judges from accepting gifts, bequests, loans, or any favor related to their judicial duties.”

Enyi continued, “In August 2019, Justice James K. Omotosho and two others were allocated properties at GRA Phase 8, Eliozu, Port Harcourt, as gifts by then-Governor Wike. The plot allocated to Justice Omotosho (Plot 104) was originally owned by Hon. Odien Ajumogobia, SAN, who had his Certificate of Occupancy revoked by Wike without notice. Even if Justice Omotosho purchased the land, wouldn’t a search report show that it originally belonged to Ajumogobia? As a judge, doesn’t he know that land revocation is for public use, and why did he accept a property that should have been for public use?”

Enyi raised concerns that the gift could influence Omotosho’s recent rulings, which have been perceived to favor Wike.

He also argued that the gift violated the Rule of Professional Conduct, which bars judges from accepting personal gifts. He urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to instruct the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to stop assigning any matters related to Rivers politics to Justice Omotosho or other judges who received such gifts from the former governor.

“As a non-governmental organization, we are uncomfortable with the public perception that some judgments may be influenced by personal connections. The judiciary, which should be the last hope for the common man, is now seen as the hope of those who know judges and can offer favors,” Enyi said.

The group called for the immediate revocation of the properties by the Rivers State Government, as their allocation did not follow any known legal procedures.

“We urge the Rivers State Government to swiftly revoke these properties and ensure that all allocations follow the law,” Enyi added.