The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been urged to strengthen the rule of law by encouraging lawyers in the country to interpret the law correctly.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi gave the charge yesterday while declaring open the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.

The governor who frowned at the manner in which the Ministry of Justice and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have interpreted matters of the law in recent times, regretted that it was unfortunate that very respected lawyers were at the helm of affairs at these arms of government.

Governor Amaechi noted that since the EFCC was established by an act of parliament it was improper for the organization to act in contravention of the law, describing its decision to act as accuser and judge as unfair.

He noted that instead of challenging a subsisting court judgment which prevents it from prosecuting public officers before going ahead to tarnish the image of such persons, the EFCC now pronounces people guilty before interrogation.

According to him, the best approach permissible by law was to first challenge the judgment in court, so as to gain unhindered access in arresting and prosecuting suspected corrupt officers.

He said his administration was not against the activities of the EFCC but would no longer allow the organisation to keep harassing serving public office-holders in the state when a court judgment preventing the agency from doing so has not been vacated.

The governor also condemned the action of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kaase Aondoakaa for using his administrative power as Justice Minister to set aside a judgment of the Supreme Court concerning the ownership of oil wells.

While calling on the NBA to rise to the need to save Nigeria and indeed, the Niger Delta from the injustices against them, Governor Amaechi chided the Justice Minister for applying double standard in the issue of oil wells between Cross River State and Akwa Ibom and Akwa Ibom and Rivers, respectively.

The State Chief Executive blamed the Justice Minister for setting aside the apex court judgment and the political compromise reached on the issue to cause disaffection among the states of the region, when he should be protecting obedience to the law.

Governor Amaechi who spoke on the topic “Physician Heal Thyself” urged NBA members to show more interest and responsibility in protecting the laws of the land especially when such laws were pronouncements of the Supreme Court.

On the neglect of the Niger Delta States by the Federal Government, Governor Amaechi said the Federal authorities have not carried out any meaningful project in the region to justify the huge resources from the area.

He cited the example of abandoned federal roads in Rivers State on which the state government had spent over N50billion in reconstructing to enable the people move in Port Harcourt and its environs.

Earlier, the president of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) said the NEC meeting in Port Harcourt, few years after the National convention in the state, shows that the Port Harcourt branch of the body is active.

Chief Akeredolu, acknowledged the challenges before the Rivers State governor to speak louder for the people and promised to live up to the expectation of Nigerians, while assuring that the Niger Delta issue must be re-examined to give the people fair treatment.

Also speaking, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ken Chikere explained that the state government in partnership with other law enforcement agencies in the state has done well in prison decongestion and quick dispensation of justice.

In his welcome address the Port Harcourt branch chairman Chief O. T. K. D. Amachree said the branch is over due for another branch based on its overwhelming membership strengthen of over 2,000 lawyers.