The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State has strongly condemned the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Tony Okocha, for his alleged derogatory comments about Justices Sika Aprioku, C.N. Wali, and G.O. Ollor of the Rivers State High Court.

Okocha reportedly referred to the Rivers State judiciary as a “supermarket” following a judgment by Justice Aprioku that resulted in his dismissal. The NBA, represented by the chairpersons of its eight branches in the state, including Port Harcourt Branch Chair Cordelia Eke and Isiokpo Branch Chair Cashmia Ofurum, issued a statement denouncing Okocha’s remarks as an attack on the integrity of the judiciary.

The NBA emphasized that the judges in question are apolitical and adhere strictly to their code of conduct, which limits unnecessary public interactions. The association urged Okocha to issue an immediate apology to the judges, highlighting that his offensive language undermines both the judiciary and the legal profession.

The NBA also called on litigants and the public to refrain from harassing judges and to seek redress through appropriate legal channels, such as filing an appeal, rather than resorting to derogatory comments.