Rivers APC congresses: ‘The law is Nemo iudex in causa sua’- Sogbeye Eli

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Lawyer, Sogbeye Eli, says recent attempts by some politicians to twist the hand of justice, is unachievable.

In a chat with Africa Update over the weekend on happenings in Rivers State, Eli, said the injunction issued by Justice C. Wogu, nullifying congresses in the state, is an ‘attempt to over reach himself because, there is an appeal at a higher court and he can not be a judge in his own matter’.

He stated that if there was a suit alleging contempt of his orders, the applicant would file the contempt proceedings before the Rivers State High Court and the Chief Judge will assign the case to another judge but if for whatever reason the CJ assigns it to the same judge, the matter can not be heard earlier than June 26, being the earlier adjourned date.

He explained further that the nature of contempt would be the basis for a Judge’s reaction.

His words, ‘Contempt in-facie curiae, which is contempt in the face of the Court. Punishable by the Judge or Magistrate before whom the act of contempt is done.

‘While x-facie curiae, occurs outside the Court and the contemnor is punishable via a proceeding before another Judge/Magistrate. Why? The law is Nemo iudex in causa sua . Contempt eex In Causa Sua (You cannot be a Judge in your own case)’, he emphasized .

Eli, expressed dismay at the unprofessional stance of Justice Wogu and reiterated that there are no legal provisions capable of cancelling well organised ward, LGA and State Congresses.