Amaechi Tasks Judges On Integrity

Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has tasked the new six State High Court judges on the need to display high level of integrity and service to humanity.

The Governor gave the charge while swearing-in the Judges in Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday.

He said the new judicial officers needed to show tactfulness and utmost care in their duties, warning that, “any mistake you make, whether deliberate or not will be between you and God.”

The Governor advised them to make sure that all their decisions were based on their conscience, saying,” if you continue to do that, focusing on God, you will avoid mistakes and you will not take any deliberate action that will pervert justice”.

Rt. Hon Amaechi was of the view that the judges had a delicate duty to transform society through their activities which, according to him “can make or mar” them.

He stressed that their duty was to interprete the law in such a manner that posterity would smile on them even though as human beings they were prone to make mistakes.

However, he maintained that once their decisions were aligned to their conscience, the major burden of their duty would be greatly reduced and they would be in clear standing between God and man.

Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has described the selection process of the new six High Court judges as meritorious.

In his words,” the process of your selection was thorough and I want to assume that because you were selected on merit, you have the capacity to decipher what is wrong and what is right.”

Consequently, some of the judges pledged to use their new positions to ensure fairness and equity in the judiciary.

They thanked Governor Amaechi for finding them worthy and assured that they would not fail in their duties.

The judges include four women and two men. They include, Mrs Hariba Judith Dagogo-Jack, Mrs. Crescent Dappa-Addo,Mrs. Ibiwengi Roseline Minakiri and wife of Minister of State for Education, Mrs Eberechi Suzeth Nyesom-Wike.

The men are Justice Sobere Bianbo, and Igwe Chigozie Igwe.