The Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership has called on the Rivers State Government to revoke properties previously gifted to certain High Court judges by the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike.
In a statement, the group specifically urged Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara to rescind the allocation of properties to Justice James Omotosho and other judges, arguing that it is improper for a governor to gift public land to individuals for personal use.
At a press conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the group presented a document they claimed to have obtained from the State Ministry of Land and Survey.
The document reportedly listed Justice Omotosho as the recipient of Plot 104, GRA Phase 8, along with other judges, including Justice Osho Oshomah, who received Plot 287 in the same area, as well as several top security personnel and other influential figures.
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Barr. Chizy Enyi, leader of the initiative, highlighted that although Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, had revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for these properties in 2016, he quietly reallocated them to the judges and other individuals in 2019.
Enyi emphasized that according to the Land Use Act, once land is revoked, it must be used for public purposes—not distributed as personal gifts.
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 expressed concerns that the gift might influence Omotosho’s recent rulings, which have been seen as favoring Wike.
He also contended that the gift breached the Rule of Professional Conduct, which prohibits judges from accepting personal gifts. Enyi called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to direct the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to cease assigning any cases related to Rivers politics to Justice Omotosho or any other judges who had received 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 demanded the immediate revocation of the properties by the Rivers State Government, asserting that their allocation did not adhere to any recognized legal procedures.
“We urge the Rivers State Government to swiftly revoke these properties and ensure that all allocations follow the law,” Enyi added.
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