The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged judges to consider the broader impact of their judgments on the polity, stressing that the quality of justice delivered by the courts is closely linked to law and order, democratic stability and national development.
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 charged members of the judiciary to uphold truth and justice without fear or favour, irrespective of the status, political affiliation or social connections of parties appearing before the courts.
He said the judiciary must remain committed to its constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens and ensuring that the rule of law prevailed in all circumstances.
“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,” Fubara said.
He warned that the persistence of such impediments had damaged the reputation of both the judiciary and the legal profession, stressing the need for urgent reforms that would restore public confidence in the administration of justice.
According to him, the legal system in a democratic society establishes the rules governing the relationship between government, public and private institutions and citizens.
He noted that beyond upholding the rule of law, an independent and effective judiciary was indispensable to democracy, good governance and economic development.
Fubara said courts should not be viewed merely as venues for resolving disputes, but as the ultimate refuge for citizens seeking justice, accountability, protection of human dignity and enforcement of their constitutional and legal rights.
He maintained that the fundamental purpose of law was to protect and advance the security and wellbeing of citizens by guaranteeing equality before the law, safeguarding fundamental human rights and creating an environment conducive to socioeconomic activities.
The governor argued that societies prosper when law and order, peace and development are anchored on respect for the rule of law, while disregard for democratic principles and constitutional order could lead to instability and social disorder.
“Consequently, we expect that our judges should not be mere apologists or conformists if they are to be the ultimate guardians of our democracy, the rule of law and the advancement of peace and good governance in our country,” he said.
Fubara said public confidence in the judiciary could only be strengthened when judges demonstrate sound knowledge of the law, strong legal reasoning, courage, commitment and integrity.
He urged judges to hold both government and citizens accountable to the Constitution and the rule of law, stressing that justice must be accessible to all and not reserved for privileged members of society.
The governor further called on the legal profession to remain vigilant whenever political power threatens to undermine constitutional provisions and democratic institutions.
He said lawyers had an important role to play in preventing abuses of power and ensuring that political authority was not used to circumvent the laws of the land.
Addressing the theme of the conference, “Beyond Limits,” Fubara challenged Nigerian lawyers to rise above real or perceived constraints in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
He described lawyers as ministers and custodians of the “sacred temple of justice,” urging them to protect the Constitution and defend the inherent rights of Nigerians to democracy and good governance.
The governor also used the occasion to reflect on Rivers State’s recent political experience, saying the state had demonstrated resilience in the face of political challenges.
“In Rivers State, we understand what it means to push beyond limits. We have walked through the furnace of power, may have been bruised, yet remain unbowed in our determination to safeguard our unity, peace and progress and are more resolved than ever in our commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” he said.
In his keynote address, former Liberian President, George Weah, also stressed the importance of an independent judiciary and a fearless legal profession in protecting democracy and citizens’ rights.
Weah urged lawyers and judges to remain impartial and committed to justice, arguing that no democratic society could thrive without strong judicial institutions.
According to him, an independent judiciary supported by a courageous bar was essential to every serious nation because threats to democracy did not come only through military force or a defeated political leader refusing to relinquish power.
He warned that democracy could equally be threatened when judicial institutions were weakened or compromised to the point where they could no longer perform their constitutional responsibilities.
Weah reminded Nigerian lawyers that democracy did not end on election night, but was tested every day through the strength and independence of the institutions responsible for protecting citizens’ rights.
“Democracy cannot survive on strong men but on strong institutions,” he said.
The former Liberian president also criticised governments that present themselves as democratic while engaging in corruption or compromising judicial institutions to undermine the rule of law and manipulate society.
He stressed that the judiciary must remain sufficiently independent to check abuses of power and protect citizens regardless of their political status.
