Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has told Nigerian judges to be impartial in their judgements in order to earn the credibility of the people because they represent God here on earth to man.
He said this at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s Anglican Communion, Diobu in Port Harcourt.
According to him “Let me say it here so that you will understand; 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 because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”
Governor Fubara said the judiciary as a sacred temple of justice, which should always hold up such assurances for everybody that approached it and not the other way.
“Some of you said you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your pay masters to turn the law upside down.
“We all know the law when it comes to issues that have to do with the administration of governance in the state; it is within the jurisdiction of the state high court.
“It doesn’t matter whether you joined the INEC or the police. It is a state’s matter. I am not a lawyer, but I know that one and you stand and say you are doing the right thing. God will judge you”, Fubara added.
He commended the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly the High Court Divisions for their support that have contributed to keeping his administration going despite calculated antagonisms.
The Governor referred to the fact that some judicial officers in the state have been either threatened, physically assaulted or slammed with frivolous petitions raised against them to coerce them to submission.
He urged them to remain firm in their commitment to stand on the side of truth, and never compromise justice.
In his sermon, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, preaching on the topic, “Called To Uphold Justice,” said Nigeria is collapsing, owing partly to the conflicting judgements always coming out from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, which have worsened the crisis in the state.