Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, don warn judges for the state to no compromise justice again. He talk dis during the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion in Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Fubara tell the judges say dem be the God people dey see, and dem must stand and defend the people. He say, “Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us. Your position is to look at whoever and tell the person the truth”.
The Governor also take a swipe at some legal luminaries wey dey smear their conscience to please their paymasters. He say, “Some of you, you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your paymasters to turn the law upside down”.
Fubara emphasize say court judgments get far-reaching implications, so judges must take great care when making judicial pronouncements. He warn say, “Because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly”.
The Governor thank the Rivers State Judiciary, especially the High Court divisions, for their support in keeping his administration going despite the challenges. He mention say some judicial officers have been threatened, physically assaulted, or slammed with frivolous petitions to coerce them to submit.
Fubara urge the judges to remain resolute in their commitment to stand on the side of truth and never compromise justice. He say, “I want to thank the Rivers State Judiciary, more especially, the High Court of Rivers State, for your support, for keeping this administration afloat up until this hour”.
He also talk about the importance of strong institutions to entrench democracy and good governance. Fubara say, “What we are praying for in this country is institutional strength and not individual strength. Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development in this country”.
