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‘Rule Of Law Is Way Forward For Nigeria’
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, in Calabar charged judicial officers in the country to remain steadfast strengthening the rule of law even as he emphasised that the nation risked doom if the rule of law was not adhered to in the build-up to the 2019 general elections.
Onnoghen, who gave the charge while speaking at the commissioning/opening of the ultra-modern Court Of Appeal Complex, Calabar, urged judges in the country to remain firm no matter whose ox is gored and be mindful of the fact that the society depended so much on justices and the decision that they make.
The Chief Justice who was accompanied by the President of the Court Of Appeal, Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa as well as the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, stressed,”I use this opportunity to still call on judicial officers in the country to remain steadfast to their oath of office, the constitution of the country and continue to remember that without the rule of law, the society is doomed.
“Hold firm to the wheels of justice and ensure that when cases are placed on a scale, whichever weighs more should be where the judgment should go. It does not matter whose ox is gored because the society depends on us and that decision you have to take. The society survives because you are courageous enough to tell whoever is wrong that you are wrong”.
Onnoghen has advised judicial officers to be fair, strive at all cost to dispense justice to all irrespective of who is involved in matters brought before the court, warning the justices to be wary of politicians who may resort to the use of all sorts of gimmicks and tactics to ensure that judges dispense judgement according to their biddings.
He said he was elated by the complex because, as a young lawyer, he travelled to Enugu for several cases from Calabar because of the absence of an Appeal Court in Calabar and he could recollect that a number of lawyers had accidents and died on the journeys to Enugu and the presence of the court in Calabar will help mitigate these.
In a swift reaction to the, Justice Onnoghen’s speech, former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Senator Kanu Agabi who spoke on behalf of the legal profession lauded the
judiciary for standing firm and helping shape the country through their decisions over time which has helped prevent anarchy.
Agabi claimed that the best arm of the government is the judiciary and their courage, intelligence and hard work had continued to sustain the country, stressing that without an independent judiciary to enforce the rule of law, it will not be long before the elected officers cease to remain in office.
In his words, “by sound judgments, the judges and justices have immortalised themselves. The monuments that we build will all one day be erased even this Court of Appeal will one day cease to be.
There is no structure standing in the country today that will not one day be demolished and not the judgments of our court.
“The decisions of our courts are shaping the country and by these, the judges have demonstrated their capacity and disposition to save the country from anarchy. They are proving that that is indeed the third arm of government”.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the president of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa said the edifice which was supposed to take twelve months, took twelve years and the challenges encountered in the course of constructing the facility could make volumes of reading materials.
Bulkachuwa lauded the judicial officers for their steadfastness despite the challenges of Operating in the previous building particularly when it was gutted by fire and expressed appreciation to the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke for donating the parcel of land for the facility.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
