Daisy W. Okocha

Daisy Wotube Okocha (born 15 January 1951) served as the 7th Chief Judge of Rivers State, in charge of the state's High Court of Justice, and Judicial Service Commission[1]. She was appointed to the office by Governor Ezenwo Wike on 4 January 2016[2], and held it until her retirement on 15 January 2016[3]. She had also served as Chief Judge in an acting capacity before attaining the substantive appointment.[4][5]

Daisy W. Okocha
7th Chief Judge of Rivers State
In office
4 January 2016 – 15 January 2016
Appointed byEzenwo Wike
Preceded byIche Ndu
Succeeded byAdama Lamikanra
Personal details
Born (1951-01-15) 15 January 1951
Obio Akpor, Rivers State
ProfessionLawyer

Early life and education

Okocha was born on 15 January 1951 in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria. She is of the Ikwerre tribe. Her father, Jonathan Okocha, was a former police commissioner and her mother, Helen Nonyelum Okocha, was a caterer[6].

Daisy received her LL.B. (Hons.) from the University of Zaria in 1978. The following year, on 29 June, she was admitted to the bar. She also has a post-graduate diploma in Theology, which she pursued at the Redeemed Christian Bible College (RCBC).[7]

Judicial career

In 1981, Okocha joined the Judiciary in her native Rivers State. She began work as a Magistrate Grade I moving up through various court ranks. In 1991, she was appointed to the High Court of Justice, and has served as presiding judge in the Port Harcourt Division.[7]

She was selected to replace Iche Ndu as acting Chief Judge in 2013. Although recommended by the National Judicial Council, then-governor Chibuike Amaechi declined to appoint her. According to him, she was not eligible to succeed retired CJ, and was chosen by the council mainly out of self-interest.[8] In June 2015, under the new administration of Ezenwo Wike, Okocha was sworn in eventually as the acting Chief Judge of Rivers State. She is the first woman ever to hold this position, having been rated most senior high court judge by NJC.[9]

Okocha is the past Treasurer of the National Association of Women Judges Nigeria, past executive member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers Rivers State, associate member of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges' Association, current member, International Association of Women Judges.[7]

Other positions held
  • Senior Magistrate in charge Juvenile Court for 3 years
  • Past Secretary, past Chairman Magistrates Association of Nigeria
  • Past National Vice President Magistrates Association of Nigeria
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See also

References
  1. Chioma, Unini (2016-01-05). "Rivers gets first female chief judge". TheNigeriaLawyer. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  2. Ihunwo, Tony (2016-01-04). "Governor Wike Swears In First Female Chief Judge In Rivers State, What She Said (PHOTOS)". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  3. Amadi, Akujobi. "As Justice Okocha Bids Rivers Judiciary Farewell". Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  4. "Daisy Okocha Takes Oath As Substantive CJ". The Tide. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  5. Akujobi Amadi (20 January 2016). "As Justice Okocha Bids Rivers Judiciary Farewell". The Tide. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  6. Chioma, Unini (2016-01-05). "Rivers gets first female chief judge". TheNigeriaLawyer. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  7. "Justice Daisy Okocha". Rivers State Judiciary. Archived from the original on 19 September 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  8. Onukwugha, Anayo (3 October 2014). "I Hold Nothing Against Okocha – Amaechi". Leadership. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  9. "Rivers Names Female CJ …As Iche Ndu Retires Next Month". The Tide. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
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