By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has hailed Justice Adolphus Enebeli, who retired from Rivers judiciary on Friday for his forthrightness, dedication, integrity, and display of courage during the over 30 years of his service to the state.
Wike said the people of Rivers State are indebted to Justice Enebeli for all the services he rendered to the judiciary.
The Rivers state governor spoke at the special valedictory court session organised to mark the retirement of Justice Enebeli in Port Harcourt on Friday.
He described the retiring jurist as a courageous and committed judge.
The Governor noted that unlike some judges, Justice Enebeli never turned down cases assigned to him by the Chief Judge of the State.
“When somebody is committed to his job and courageous, some of us will always identify with such persons and give them the necessary support. It is not everybody that is committed to his job. It is not everybody that is courageous to do things that most people run away from.
“Just like what the Chief Judge said that Justice Enebeli has never returned any case assigned to him. So many people will find on excuse or the other by claiming people are saying this, they are saying that, and then run away from their job.”
Wike, during the occasion performed the unveiling and presentation of two books, “The Cradle: Footprints of Honourable Justice Adolphus Enebeli in the Magistracy 1992-2002” and “The Spirit of the Law Through the Cases of Honourable Justice Adolphus Enebeli” published in honour of the retired judge.
In his tribute, the Rivers State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Simeon Amadi, explained that Justice Enebeli joined the State judiciary in 1992 as a magistrate, and was later appointed a judge in 2005 during the administration of Governor Peter Odili. He said throughout his career, Justice Enebeli exhibited a sound understanding of the law.
He added that Enebeli was as a very productive judge, who never at any time returned any case assigned to him by the Chief Judge of the State.
He said Justice Enebeli was of the best jurist the State judiciary has produced.
On his part, the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, acknowledged the dedication with which Justice Enebeli discharged his judicial responsibility.
Professor Adangor said Justice Enebeli’s immense personality, great intellect and integrity is an affirmation that the office of a judge is truly a calling.
Speaking on behalf of Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Eberechi Adele, SAN, said except the office of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Enebeli held all relevant positions in the State judiciary without any blemish.
In his address, Justice Enebeli, who had reached the mandatory retirement age of 65, charged judges to be courageous in the discharge of their duties.
Enebeli commended Governor Wike for providing the Rivers State judiciary with the necessary infrastructure required for the speedy dispensation of justice.
Dignitaries present at the special valedictory court sessions include Rivers State deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, his wife, Hon. Justice Mary Odili, JSC rtd; former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; Rivers State governor-elect, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu; King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Edward I, Perekule XI, Natural Ruler and Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom; former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Onueze C.J. Okocha, SAN among others.
