THE Ogoni people
of Rivers State, Southern Nigeria, have established their own native court
system as part of
their efforts for autonomy. Already, the Senator representing then in the
Nigerian Senate, Magnus Abe, is clamouring for the ''unbundling'' of Nigeria.
The native court
system is a three tier system which comprises village, district and appeal
courts. The court system will function as an independent arm of the Ogoni
Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA).
WE gathered on
Saturday that the court is to improve the effective administration of justice
for nearly 96 percent of the Ogoni population who allegedly suffer in silence
without access to the justice at the grassroots.
President of the
Ogoni mass organisation, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP),
Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, has however, announced the establishment of the
OgoniCustomary Court Council.
Diigbo who was
addressing newly elected Ogoni lawmakers said the council is to review and
produce comprehensive customary court laws indigenous to Ogoni.
He said laws meant
for the administration of justice in Ogoni should be such that can protect all
indigenous rights.
The screening and
appointment of officers of the council will be completed in the first week of August 2012. Diigbo said that
the Ogoni authority will collaborate with the national government and relevant international
institutions and NGOs to standardize the work of the council