Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his frustration over conflicting judgments from the judiciary, calling on divine intervention against corrupt judges who allegedly accept bribes to manipulate justice,News360 Nigeria reports.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion in Diobu, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara criticized certain legal professionals for compromising their integrity to serve the interests of their paymasters.
The governor’s remarks highlighted concerns about judicial corruption and the need for ethical adherence within the legal system, as he invoked God’s judgment on those who undermine the principles of justice for personal gain.
“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.
“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 INEC, or 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.”
Governor Fubara stated that within the temple of justice, judges are seen to represent God, who must not be afraid to look at those who come to equity, and dispense justice rightly without fear or favour.
The Governor warned that, because court judgments have far-reaching implications, great care needed to be taken in making judicial pronouncements.
“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 it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”
Governor Fubara applauded the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly, the High Court Divisions for their sundry support that have contributed to keeping his administration going despite calculated antagonisms.
The State Governor alluded 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 submit.
Governor Fubara urged them to remain resolute in their commitment to stand on the side of truth, and never compromise justice.
“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.
“We know quite alright that a good number of you have been threatened by way of phone calls and even physical assaults. We are also aware that some of you have been threatened professionally through petitions that are fake and frivolous.
“But one thing that you need to understand is that you must be persecuted when you are doing the right thing. And those of you who are doing the right thing that are being fought from all sides, be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever.”
Fubara harped on the importance of having strong institutions thrive to entrench democracy and good governance so as to engender a healthy and prosperous society.
“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.
“If I am a businessman, and I am coming into Nigeria to invest, why will I invest when what I am seeing today is that institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than institutions?”
Governor Fubara recalled that October, 2023, the story was different, but today, one year after, everybody is smiling because of the grace of God.
