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Be Courageous In Delivering Justice, Wike Tells Judges
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has blamed ineffective judicial performance on lack of character, courage, and decency of some judges to live up to their judicial oaths in the discharge of their functions.
Wike said due to prevailing political uncertainty in the country, democracy and the rule of law were under constant threat, hence, the Judiciary must be alive to its responsibilities.
He made the remarks at the launch of the book, “Legal Paradigm in Nigeria: A New Direction in the Study of Law and Practise,” in honour of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki, last Friday, in Abuja.
Wike emphasised that the country and its democracy can only survive if the judicial system was strong and alive.
He noted that the Judiciary would be deemed dead, when public confidence is lost in its ability to defend the rule of law and dispense free and equal justice to all.
“The Judiciary dies where it lies comatose and removed from the aspirations of the citizens for good governance, the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and the guarantee of free and fair elections.
“The Judiciary dies when it can easily be manipulated; when justice can be procured; when injustice is rendered in place of justice to the aggrieved parties; or when resort to self-help and other means of redress outside the law becomes the preferred norm by citizens.”
Wike said despite the myriad of problems faced by the country, Nigerians could still trust the Judiciary to save the country by guaranteeing justice, equity and equality to every citizen.
“Nevertheless, this is possible only when the Judiciary is able to assert itself without fear or favour, upholding the truth at all times, and standing up to any other power or principality that attempts to undermine or override its constitutional responsibilities, powers and processes.
“Justice could be delayed, which is not acceptable, but it must never be refused or denied for the Judiciary to serve as an effective watchdog of our democracy and thwart the evil intentions of the enemies of the people.”
The Rivers State governor further asserted that effective and efficient justice delivery was imperative for defending democracy, sustaining the rule of law, protecting fundamental human rights and advancing economic development.
“Let us, therefore, continue to call on the Federal Government to strengthen our Judiciary by resolving the challenges militating against judicial effectiveness as I have done in Rivers State where we have continued to prioritise the independence of the Judiciary and improved the working and living conditions of our judges beyond measure.”
He also accused political parties and party leaders of exhibiting utter arrogance and disdain for the electoral laws and the democratic process in their actions and conduct.
According to him, Nigerians were becoming more and more apprehensive about the success of the forthcoming general election, and the survival of the country’s democracy beyond 2023.
“The Federal Government continues to undermine the rule of law, while political parties and party leaders continue to exhibit utter arrogance and disdain for the electoral laws and the democratic process in their actions and conduct.
“With cries of injustice, discrimination and inequities everywhere and with the rising instability and deterioration of law and order, only the undiscerning would believe that Nigeria is not headed for the hard rocks.”
The governor commended Hon. Justice Aboki, for his illustrious career, immeasurable service and contributions to the growth of the legal profession, democracy, the rule of law, and the progress of the country.
He described Aboki as a consummate jurist who has left his name indelibly etched in the sands of time and judicial history.
“While judges are of different social, economic and political persuasions, Hon. Justice Aboki prides himself among the progressive rank that stands up for what is right and just, and believes that the law and the Constitution as interpreted and enforced by the courts, must both protect and advance the unity and well-being of the nation and its people”.
Wike thanked those who took the initiative to painstakingly put the book together.
According to him, the book would provide an insightful benchmark on the life, career and philosophical undercurrents that underpin Hon. Justice Aboki’s approach and conceptions of law, society, judging and justice, among others.
Also speaking, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, commended Justice Aboki for his meritorious service to the nation, and further Wike for his tenacity and ability to speak truth to power.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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