Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, says his administration will partner with the judiciary on improving its Information Communication Technology (ICT) and manpower training.

The Governor made the pledge during a special court session to mark the official commencement of the 2010/2011 Legal Year in Rivers State at the weekend in Port Harcourt.

Amaechi asserted that it was one way to upgrade the status of the judiciary to work effectively and at the same time match modern practices as obtained in other countries.

He stressed that regular training and re-training of judicial officers would also add to quality justice delivery and promised that his government would support the third arm of government in making sure that its staffers were trained within and outside the country.

Rt Hon Amaechi also stressed the need for the establishment of more courts, “the first phase of the new city will commence this January, so, I will urge you to take the opportunity by establishing more courts in that area.”

Speaking earlier at the church service held at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Rt Hon Ameachi pledged to partner with the judiciary in the development of the state.

In his words, “I promised at an earlier event that if fund is what determines the independence of the judiciary, that I would give the judiciary all the money they need”.

He further asserted that, “the executive would obey the law and would implement all judgements coming from the judiciary even if we disagree”.

The Governor enjoined judicial officers to always be courageous in the discharge of their duties. “In the face of challenges and temptations, our judges and magistrates must be courageous in the dispensation of justice. Be rest assured that if you discharge your responsibilities according to your conscience, you can sleep peacefully,” he said.

Delivering his sermon, Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt Rev. Innocent Ordu harped on the need for judicial officers to dispense their duties with the fear of God.

Bishop Ordu cautioned them to avoid any form of conduct that would tarnish the credibility of the legal system noting, “God himself delights in justice because justice is more acceptable than sacrifice”.

In his remarks later, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iche Ndu lauded the Governor for releasing funds to the judiciary.

Justice Ndu stated that Governor Amaechi had displayed exceptional quality in making sure that the judiciary was efficient and remain independent in the state.

He assured that once this year’s funding got on stream, the judiciary would embark on massive ICT overhaul especially through the electronic satellite and recording system.

He added, “at the moment, over 50 judicial officers have undergone a special IT training for staffers.”

Justice Ndu, however, called for improvements in the status of the prisons, lamenting that despite carrying out numerous gaol delivery, the conditions in the Port Harcourt prisons were still not conducive due to congestion.

The same view was expressed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State, Patrice Ukposi who called for quick prison reforms in the country.

Barrister Ukposi also charged the police to improve on their investigative mechanisms in order to reduce the influx of suspects at the prisons.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Barrister Worgu Boms has advocated for ethical conduct amongst the members of the bar.

Boms frowned at the increasing spate of unethical practices by members in a bid to make quick money.

He warned that if such conduct continued, lawyers would inadvertently erode the core values of the justice system built on credibility, good conduct, character and professionalism.