Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN 
The Rivers State Government has criticised rights activist and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba  (SAN), for his stance on the restoration of rights to Sir Celestine Omehia, as a former governor of the state.
The state said Agbakoba had described  the decision of the state government to accord special privileges and recognition to Omehia as a former governor of the state as useless, unnecessary and capable of overheating the system.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Emma Okah, said Agbakoba misdirected himself on facts and therefore was wrong and insensitive by describing the decision as useless, unnecessary and capable of overheating the system.
Okah said a state government had the powers to confer an advantage on anybody without reference to any court judgment and wondered why such a reconciliatory and uniting action should annoy Agbakoba.

“This is purely a political concession, far away from the courts. There must be an end to acrimony and bitterness or politics of hate. As a people, we should encourage harmony, peace and consensus building, so that we can put the agony of yesterday behind us and together, move the state to greater heights,” he said, noting that in all jurisdictions, litigants can still seek peace outside the court room or even after judgment and such agreements calm frayed nerves and heal wounds better and faster.
According to Okah, a time comes when as leaders, you need to think outside the box to solve political problems and create happiness for the people.
“Nigeria did the same for Chief Ernest Shonekan who headed the Interim Government which the court declared illegal.
In Ekiti State, Governor Ayo Fayose, accorded similar recognition to Chief Segun Oni, even though the court said he was not a governor in law. People are happy with these situations and that of Rivers State cannot be different,” he stated.
Okah further said Agbakoba had more pressing things to worry about in Nigeria like the current developments in the National Assembly where statesmen like him were expected to sound their voice for democracy instead of dabbling into Rivers politics.
He expressed surprise that as a respected senior advocate who has stood for the down-trodden over the years, Agbakoba was among those who kept mute and played no major role to reprimand former Governor Chibuike Amaechi when his administration in Rivers State locked the courts and emasculated the judiciary for over one year.
His words: “Many thought that Agbakoba would have risen to the occasion but the plight and agony of detainees, lawyers, judges, litigants and judicial stakeholders arising from the closure of courts could not move him to strongly condemn the evils that Amaechi inflicted on the judiciary.
“Even the emasculation of the legislative arm of government by the same Amaechi administration who moved their sittings to the banquet hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, was not enough to catch the attention of our respected Agbakoba at a time when many well-meaning Nigerians saw it as an aberration and embarrassment to democracy.”
Okah further said: “Agbakoba can still  redeem his lost voice in Rivers State by condemning the financial recklessness and outright fraud which the Amaechi government visited on the state; refusal to cooperate with the present government on handover notes, looting and desecration of the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt and the carting away of vehicles, television sets, mattresses,  air conditioners and others as if the state was facing liquidation.
“Perhaps, Agbakoba needs to know that Governor Wike has nothing personal against Amaechi but the issue of accountability, due process and misappropriation of public funds, especially in the last weeks of the Amaechi’s government.
“Besides, the people are happy that Wike is squarely facing the task of development in Rivers State, despite the landmines  set by the Amaechi administration. Two major contractors - Julius Berger and CCECC have been contracted to rebuild all the roads in Port Harcourt City. So far the Rivers State Government has opened the courts and judges, magistrates, lawyers, judiciary workers and the public are happy.
“Members of the state House of Assembly are now sitting in the assembly complex. The eight months’ salary arrears of management and players of Dolphin Football Club, Sharks FC and Rivers Angels FC have been paid. The refuse disposal contractors who were owed for four months are now receiving payments in arrears.
“Efforts are being made to begin the payment of arrears of salaries and pensions which the Amaechi government passed on to the present government. In all, the people of Rivers State are happy.”