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Adherence To Rule Of Law ’ll Solve Problems -CJN
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghen has declared that all problems of the country would be resolved through strict adherence to the rule of law.
Justice Onoghen also stated that if the country consistently respects the rule of law for four years, the building blocks of development would be firmly in place.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria spoke, last Friday, when he commissioned the ultra-modern National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt Division building constructed by the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.
The CJN also commissioned the Court of Appeal building re-modelled by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Commissioning the National Industrial Court Complex, Justice Walter Onoghen said: “I believe that the solutions to our numerous problems lie in the adherence to the principles of the rule of law. If we do that for four years consistently, you will see that everything will fall back into place.
“The Constitution provides for each and every one of us. It has given us designated and special functions. If we adhere to these functions and discharge them to the satisfaction of our conscience, there will be development.”
He stated that in adhering to the rule of law, people would realise that there were societal taboos.
“For instance, locking up the courts; how can you in a democratic society think of locking up the courts? How can you say that you should deprive the judiciary of its funds, for instance?”, he asked.
He charged judges to be fair, firm and courageous in the discharge of their functions.
Onoghen said: “You know that a man of integrity cannot be intimidated. You don’t expect a man with integrity to be subservient. Sacrifices must be made if we are to come out of the woods”.
He said that the construction of the National Industrial Court by the Rivers State Government was a welcome development, urging other state governors to emulate the Rivers State governor.
“All other state executives should learn from what is happening in Rivers State”, the CJN said.
In his remarks at the commissioning ceremony of the National Industrial Court, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said nothing can be more important to the country than for the nation to secure the independence of the judiciary and ensure that it was no longer threatened by political and other interests.
Wike said: “This is possible if our judges can stand firm on the Constitution under any circumstances and act consistently as morally autonomous agents with unshakable belief in the rule of law, human rights and the shared values of our democracy.
“I declare so because all through history, judicial independence is fought and won by the courage, commitment and vigilance of judges who would yield to nothing in defence of the Constitution and the rule of law.
“The challenge, therefore, is for the Bench and the Bar to resolve to stand firm against all forms of pressures, blatant or subtle, physical or venal, that interfere with, impair or impugn the character and content of judicial decisions,” the governor said.
Wike said until Nigerian judges are able to do justice in the face of threats; apply the law in the face of opposition from the government; resist peer pressures and be seen to be courageous, just and fair, only then can the nation’s judiciary be independent and Nigeria respected among nations.
He noted: “While I congratulate the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the ongoing reforms to strengthen our judiciary, I wish to remind you with respect, that on your shoulders rest the responsibility, hopes and expectations of a truly independent, impartial and proactive judiciary: a judiciary that can do justice even though heaven may fall.”
On the National Industrial Court constructed by his administration, Wike said that the administration was proud to be contributing to the dispensation of justice and making Rivers State the Judicial Hub of the region.
He said: “Against this background, permit me to further reiterate the point that our decision to spend hundreds of millions of naira in building a federal courthouse is not because we have so much money to throw after the responsibility of the Federal Government.
“But the court system, whether federal or state, serves the same purpose, and Rivers people are the primary beneficiaries of the services rendered by these courts, irrespective of ownership.”
In a goodwill message, former NBA President, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) commended the Rivers State governor for his contributions to the dispensation of justice.
President of National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo placed it on record that this was the first time such a developmental gesture would be coming from a state government.
In her remarks, Chief Justice of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra and the Attorney General of Rivers State, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) represented by the state solicitor general, lauded the investments of Wike in the development of the justice sector.
At the commissioning of the Court of Appeal building remodelled by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done at the facility.
Bulkachuwa said though she was initially sceptical about the proposal to remodel the Appeal Court by Wike because at the time, no such remodelling had been undertaken by a state government, she was convinced by the fact that the governor intervened in other federal courts and establishments in the state.
Further speaking, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike explained that the administration resolved to remodel the Court of Appeal because it had degenerated to an embarrassing level.
He said: “And so today, we are happy to have also delivered what is arguably the best and most functional Court of Appeal complex, outside the headquarters building in Abuja to the glory of God and for the progress of our state and the nation.
“With this courthouse delivered, we are the only state government in our country that has directly intervened and provided the most modern courthouses for all existing federal courts in the state; namely, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal”.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onoghen said every right thinking person would appreciate efforts put in place to make the judiciary function optimally.
He called for financial autonomy of state Judiciary across the country, saying that a judiciary driven by integrity cannot be timid.
Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Special Projects, Alabo George Kerley said that the courtrooms, offices and facilities were remodelled in a way that would promote security and performance.
In his goodwill message, former NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN) said Wike has lived up to the expectations of the people as a member of the Body of Benchers.
The two ceremonies were attended by high profile judges and legal practitioners from across the country.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.
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