*Judiciary Issues Stern Warning to Newsweek Electronic Media Channel, Demands Immediate Retraction or Face Legal Action*
**Port Harcourt, Rivers State – March 5, 2025** – The Rivers State Judiciary has vehemently denied a recent publication by the *Newsweek Electronic Media Channel* alleging that the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi (DSSRS), is set to embark on a one-year recess leave. In a strongly worded press release issued today, the Judiciary described the report as “malicious, misleading, false, and baseless.”
The publication, which appeared earlier today under the headline *”BREAKING: Rivers State Chief Judge Embarks on One-Year Recess Leave,”* claimed that the Chief Judge was preparing to take an extended leave of absence. However, the Judiciary has categorically refuted these claims, stating that no such announcement was made, nor is there any intention for the Chief Judge to take such leave.
In the press release signed by David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, Esq., the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State Judiciary, the office clarified that the concept of a one-year recess leave is entirely foreign to the Judicial Officers’ Calendar of Vacations. The Judiciary emphasized that the vacation schedule for judicial officers is a matter of public record, consisting of the Christmas Vacation, Easter Vacation, and Annual Vacation.
“The Chief Judge did not at any time announce nor intend to announce embarking on any recess or extended recess leave by whatsoever name called,” the statement read. “The public is hereby advised to utterly disregard this misguided publication aimed at causing ill-will, disaffection, and confusion in the State.”
The Judiciary has also issued a stern warning to the author of the publication, Jake Clifford, and the publishers of *Newsweek Electronic Media Channel*, demanding an immediate retraction of the false report. Failure to comply, the Judiciary warned, would result in legal consequences.
The press release further urged the public to rely only on official communications from the Judiciary for accurate information regarding the activities of judicial officers. The Rivers State Judiciary reiterated its commitment to upholding the integrity of the judicial system and ensuring that false information does not undermine public trust.
