BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RIVERS STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL
The Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal and the Customary Courts in Rivers State are creations of statute. The Customary Courts in present day Rivers State were established by Warrants made under the Eastern Nigeria Legal Notices (ENLN) as at 1st October, 1963 and pursuant to the Provisions of Section 3 of the Customary Courts Law, Cap. 32, Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963.
Pursuant to the Provisions of Section 245(i) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 (now Section 280(1) of the 1999 Constitution) and precisely on 29th August, 1988, the Customary Court of Appeal was established for Rivers State by Edict No. 3 of 1988. This is what is now incorporated in Laws of Rivers State and known as the Customary Court of Appeal Law Cap. 41, Laws of Rivers State.
However, before the constitution and inauguration of the Customary Court of Appeal, appeals from the Customary Courts lie before the High Court of Rivers State by virtue of Section 1(3) of the Customary Court of Appeal Law Cap. 41, Laws of Rivers State 1999, formerly section 1 of Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal (amendment) Edict No. 3 of 1991).
Upon the inauguration of the Customary Court of Appeal on 2nd of June, 2009 Appeals from the decisions of the Customary Courts no longer lie in the High Court of Rivers State but in the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal.
So far, the Customary Courts Law have undergone notable amendments for the smooth and seamless administration of justice at the grassroot level. To this end, the Customary Courts Law, Cap. 40, Laws of Rivers State, 1999 and the Customary Courts (Amendment No. 1) Law No. 9 of 2009 have been replaced by the Customary Courts Law No. 3 of 2014.
By the enactment of the Customary Courts Law, 2014, the Customary Court of Appeal has been enabled to now process and issue Customary Letters of Administration with respect to intestate Estates to deserving applicants at little or no cost depending on the pecuniary status of the applicants. The new Customary Courts Law also cloths the Customary Court with Criminal and chieftaincy jurisdictions.
Presently, the Customary Court of Appeal Rules and the Customary Courts Rules are undergoing Reviews through the instrumentality of a Rules Review Committee composed of eminent jurists, both serving and retired with iconic members of the Bar as members, with a view to fulfilling the vision of the Customary Court of Appeal, that is to promote the philosophy and development of the jurisprudence of Customary Law in Rivers State.
STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION
The Customary Court of Appeal supervises 32 Customary Courts with an addition of the establishment of 5 new Customary Courts bringing the total of Customary Courts in Rivers State to 37. Each Customary Court sits as a panel; that is to say, a Chairman and 2 Members. All the Chairmen and some Members are qualified Legal Practitioners.
Structurally, the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal is an arm of the Rivers State Judiciary, distinct from and parallel to the High Court of Rivers State. Both the High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal are administratively and financially autonomous. However, the Judicial Service Commission is the point of common convergence where issues of policy, appointment and discipline, etc are discussed and determined.
The High Court of Rivers State and the Customary Court of Appeal also meet at ceremonies like the Legal Year Celebrations, Valedictory Sessions, Bar/Bench fora etc. The Chief Judge of Rivers State presides at the Judicial Service Commission and at these ceremonies as the Head of the State Judiciary by virtue of Section 9(3) of the Customary Court of Appeal Law Cap. 41 LRSN 1999.
The Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal has two panels constituted by 7 Judges with one of the Judges as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal.
PIONEER PRESIDENT OF THE RIVERS STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL
Hon. Justice P.N.C Agumagu (KSc, L.L.D)
PIONEER JUDGES OF THE RIVERS STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL
Justice Christiana I. Gabriel Nwankwo (late)
Justice Ihemnachor W. Obuzor
Grace T. Irikefe (Rtd)
PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL RIVERS STATE
Justice P.N.C. Agumagu (Rtd) Pioneer President CCA (2009-2014)
Late Hon. Justice C.I Gabriel, President CCA (2015-2021)
RETIRED JUDGES OF CCA
Justice Grace T. Irekefe-Ojo (Rtd)
HOUNORABLE JUDGES OF THE CUSTOMARY OF APPEAL, RIVERS STATE
Justice Ihemnachor W. Obuzor, DSSRS.
Justice Bright N.L. Deemua
Justice Frank Onyiri
Justice Legor T. Senewo
Justice Ericonda Amadi
Justice Odiki Daniel-Kalio
Justice Ngei E. Tetenwi
PAST CHIEF REGISTRARS OF CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL
D. Jumbo Stephens CR CCA 2009-2015
Promise Iroanya Esq. (Acting) CR CCA 2015-2017
Odiki Daniel Kalio (Mrs) CR CCA 20217-2023
PAST DEPUTY CHIEF REGISTRARS
Sir James M. J Elenwo DCR Admin CCA 2009
Rosemary N. Ibanibo DCR Litigation 2009
Jude Chinedu Onyeche, Esq. Acting DCR Admin 2022-2023
Ngei E. Tetenwi, Esq.
Acting DCR Litigation 2022-2023
CURRENT CHIEF REGISTRAR AND DEPUTY CHIEF REGISTRARS CCA
