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Do Not Compromise Justice, Cleric Tells Judges
The Bishop of Evo Diocese, Anglican Communion in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Bishop Innocent Ordu has called on judges, magistrates and other Judicial officers in the country’s temple of justice to disperse their sacred responsibilities without compromise.
Ordu made this call while delivering his sermon during the re-dedication service organised by the state Judiciary to kick-start the 2017/2018 Legal Year at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonnema Wharf Road in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He stated that the society expects judicial officers to perform their responsibilities without fear and compromise, adding that they were expected to be bold and fearless in the discharge of their duties.
The Anglican bishop reminded the judicial officers, especially the judges and magistrates that their responsibilities were a sacred task, adding that in doing that, they were expected to exhibit Godly characters in dispensing justice in the society because they were representatives of God to exercise judgement on the guilty on earth.
According to him, “The task you are executing is God’s but the law has given you the responsibility to judge humans which is a sacred duty. Therefore, you have to be cautious and diligent.
“God expects you to deliver the sacred responsibility with all sense of commitment, honesty and truthfulness.
“Justice is a divine service; those who sit in judgement are co-labourers of God in their own rites. What you do, God is interested, and you must do it very well.
“Law and justice will promote discipline and civility in the society. Judgement is one of God’s attributes, and the judge is not expected to exercise the judgement in imagination. God uses the law enforcement agencies and courts to punish offenders and sanitize the society. Citizens who obey the laws and conform to the norms of the society have nothing to fear”, he stated.
Ordu, however, regretted that judges, magistrates and lawyers had for some time due to pressures and selfish interests derailed from the sacred responsibilities by dancing to the whims and caprices of the influential in the society.
He warned that the society was at the risk of collapse, if the Judiciary officers entrusted with the responsibility to dispense justice abandon their duties to human and societal demands that contravene their oath of calling.
The clergy remanded them of the grave consequences that await them should they derail from their sacred calling, adding that God expects them to dispense justice without fear and favour.
“The lawless in the society should be prepared to face the consequences of their actions. You are expected to do the needful, be courageous. In delivering judgement, you must apply what God wants you to do. Keep learning, research and seek the face of God.
“In administering of justice in the society, God is interested and try to expedite justice honestly. Do not delay or deny justice because of your personal interests. When you dispense justice, do not be guilty of what you condemned others”, he advised.
The Tide reports that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike read the first lesson, while the state Chief Judge, Justice Adama Inyie Iyayi-Lamikanra read the second lesson at the service.
The climax of the event was the rededication of the state Judiciary officers to God.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.