Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged judges to consider the broader impact of their judgements on the nation’s political and social development, stressing the need for an independent and credible judiciary.
Fubara made the call on Sunday while declaring open the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The governor said the quality of justice delivered by the courts was closely linked to law and order, peace and national development.
He urged judges to ensure that truth and justice prevail regardless of the status, political affiliation or influence of parties appearing before them.
Fubara criticised what he described as impediments to justice, including outdated precedents, excessive technicalities, limited access to justice, delays, political interference and corruption.
“We cannot continue to insulate our laws from today’s reality; neither should justice remain shackled by unjust precedents, technicalities, inadequate access, undue delays, slavish adherence to rigid processes, political manipulation, or brazen corruption,” he said.
According to the governor, the judiciary plays a central role in protecting democracy, promoting good governance and creating an environment conducive to economic development.
He described the courts as the ultimate refuge for citizens seeking justice, accountability, protection of human dignity and enforcement of their constitutional rights.
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Fubara said public confidence in the judiciary would improve when judges demonstrate sound knowledge of the law, strong legal reasoning, courage, commitment and integrity in holding both government and citizens accountable to the Constitution.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Beyond Limits,” the governor urged Nigerian lawyers to rise above perceived constraints and defend the Constitution, democracy and the rights of citizens.
He said Rivers State understood the meaning of pushing beyond limits, noting that his administration had remained committed to maintaining peace, unity and development despite political challenges.
Also speaking at the conference, former Liberian President George Weah called for an independent judiciary and a fearless legal profession capable of protecting citizens’ rights and democratic institutions.
Weah urged lawyers and judges to remain impartial in the administration of justice, warning that threats to democracy could also arise when judicial institutions are weakened or prevented from performing their constitutional duties.
He stressed that democracy was not limited to election day but must be defended through strong institutions every day.
According to Weah, democratic systems cannot survive on strong individuals but require strong institutions capable of checking abuses of power.
He also warned against governments that claim to be democratic while allegedly undermining judicial independence, corrupting institutions and manipulating the rule of law.
