•Swears-In Eight New Judges
•Charges Them To Promote Equity, Justice
by Emmanuel Abi Couson
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the reasons behind the political crisis that erupted in the State are beginning to unfold for many more people to understand it clearly.
The Governor, however, stated that good things do not come by so easily because, like a seed put into the ground, dies before germinating, sometimes things will get bad before they eventually become better.
Governor Fubara made the assertion in his charge to eight new judges shortly after they were sworn-in at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The eight new High Court judges sworn-in include, Hon. Justice Frank Onyiri; Hon Justice Victor Chinedum Ugoji; Hon Justice Godswill Vidal Obomanu; Hon Justice Rita Chituru Oguguo; Hon Justice Alatuwo Elkanah Fubara; Hon Justice Bariyima Sylvester Kokpan; Hon Justice Lesi Wifa-Adedipe; and Hon Justice Ibietela Innocent Madighi Obu.
The Governor vehemently declared that Rivers State, having gone through the crucible of the crisis, is at a stage of rebirth with the promise of everything considered to have gone wrong being restored, if not totally but at 90 percent.
He said: “I want to thank everyone of you, more especially our judges. You’ve been very strong even in the face of this crisis that we find ourselves in. God will lead us through it. I think it’s for a purpose, and that purpose gradually is unfolding, and we are seeing it ourselves.
“Things have to get bad before it will get well. You don’t harvest a maize without planting it. When these seeds are planted, they decay and they now, from there, start growing.
“So, I strongly believe that what we are facing, at the stage we are, is for a rebirth of our State, and with your support, we are going to get everything right. At least, if not everything, 90 percent of our issues will be right.”
Governor Fubara recalled how smoothly and cheerfully the journey had started when he assumed office because the political family then was united, but added that but half-way, there were unexplainable attempts to abort the administration.
But God was kind, Governor Fubara quickly said, because He has offered another golden opportunity to steady the course of governance, stir up hope in the people and provide trusted leadership that is now widely accepted.
He noted, “We are here today to consummate that process, so that there will be more judicial officers that will help to drive the process of our Judiciary in the State.
“This opportunity (appointment) wasn’t given to you by me, that is the truth. It is God that made it. Some of you here have looked for it in several ways.
“Some of you were even opportune to be magistrate nominees, but you didn’t make it. But, you are here today as Judges. It is only God that has made it, it is not me.”
Governor Fubara told the newly sworn-in judges that he will never call any of them up to ask them to do anything that is wrong because he expects them to be bold in standing up for the truth and restore hope in the Judiciary.
He added, “So, I am not going to ask you for anything, and I know that I have never called anyone of you here to ask for anything. Discharge your duty with the fear of God. I am saying it here, I will never call any of you here or even the older ones there to go and do what is wrong. Stand for what is right, and that is the only way God will elevate you; that is the truth.
“There is a line in our new national anthem that says ‘a country where no man is oppressed’. You are supposed to be at that balance. When anybody calls you for something that is not just, you ought to have the boldness to tell the person: this is not right, and I am not going to do it.
“My message is simple: do what is right, defend the course that you stand for, justice and equity.”
Governor Fubara also said: “I also know that you are not going to disappoint the Judiciary, because if you do that, you are disappointing and failing those very poor voiceless people who believe that the only way they can truly correct the wrong is through the Judiciary. So, I appeal to you, stand on the side of right.”
The Governor assured that his administration will sustain its support to the Judiciary to ensure that they do not lack anything to enhance their work so that they can resist attempts on them to compromise the expected standard.
Governor Fubara, while also congratulating the new judges, advised them to work amicably with their seniors with respect so that those coming after them can naturally respect them too.
He further challenged them to ensure they follow due process in the dispensation of justice, saying that due diligence was necessary for the system to function effectively and strengthen good governance.
