Wike begins N0.5bn law centre for NBA

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has begun the construction of a new law centre for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the state with almost half a billion naira.

The governor has already released N200 million out of the N498 million projected cost of the project. The present NBA complex was built by one-time governor, Peter Odili, a medical doctor, whose wife is now a Supreme Court justice.

The governor, a lawyer and husband of a high court judge, said he was relocating the Port Harcourt NBA from the High Court premises to give room for expansion of courts.

The NBA stood apparently behind Wike during his push for governorship, especially in the struggle to reopen the courts. The Bar leadership even took Wike’s opponent the Amaechi-led state government to court demanding N500 million compensation for the closure of the courts in the state. There was wild jubilation when Wike reopened the courts on day one in office.

Now, Wike is doing something for the Port Harcourt NBA in the form of an edifice for their secretariat. Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony  for the construction , on Monday, February 29, 2016, Wike  said  his administration  has taken proactive  steps to encourage  the  bar and bench  to promote  the  rule of law.

He said that the Rivers State Government resolved to construct a new law centre for the NBA because of its commitment to enhancing   law practice in the state with befitting facilities.

The governor also formally handed over the certificate of occupancy of the premises to the NBA, saying the  project would be completed on schedule  by August 2016.

In his remarks, NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, commended Wike for facilitating  the  promotion  of  the  rule of  law through his support to the bar and bench, and praised the  governor  for the seamless transition  in the state judiciary  where seniority  has been observed.

Also speaking,  Rivers State Acting Chief Judge, Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, said the construction  of  the  new law centre has further  proved that Wike was a worthy partner of the Bench and Bar in the promotion  of  the  rule  of law.

Chairman of the NBA Port Harcourt, Dennis Okwakpam, said Wike was the biggest benefactor of the NBA in the history of Rivers State.

Rivers State Attorney-General, Emmanuel Aguma announced that the plaque containing all the donors of the old law centre will be transferred to the new complex.