From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called for an independent and impartial judicial system to advance democracy and rule of law in the society.
He stated this at the opening of 2023/2024 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary, in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Thursday.
Fubara said rule of law and justice delivery would create a just, secure and an egalitarian society where moral and values prevail.
The governor declared his interest in rule of law and judicial independence, saying that it would improve impartial dispensation of justice in the state.
He declared: “As the governor, I believe that the rule of law and justice are deeply rooted in moral ethics and values for the creation of a just, secure, and egalitarian society.
“In this context, I consider, an independent, impartial and efficient judiciary as the central key to our collective aspirations for a state and country, where the rule of law, democracy, human rights and good governance reign supreme.
“Against this background, I wish to reiterate that my interest in the rule of law, judicial independence and effective justice in Rivers State is profound and heartfelt.”
The governor acknowledged the immense developmental work done on judiciary in the state by his predecessor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, in terms of institutional infrastructure and capacity.
He said: “I know that the judiciary and justice delivery system in Rivers State is still a work in progress. But, we have come a long way when compared with most other states of the federation in terms of institutional infrastructure, strength, capacity and competence.
“Over the last eight years, the immediate past governor, His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, Life Bencher, CON and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, gave attention to the judiciary in the scheme of things and achieved so much to build and reposition the State’s judicial system for effective judicial services and justice delivery.
“The new court house complexes, for both State and Federal Courts, the automated filing system, and the improved working conditions, including the provision of vehicles, and accommodations for judicial officers, constitute significant measures from the government towards achieving judicial effectiveness and efficiency in our State.
“However, while we can all see and feel the improvements and resultant impact of these improvements on justice delivery, we must also admit that our judiciary has not yet reached the point of self-actualization; meaning, that there is still work to be done by all stakeholders since access to effective justice delivery is a shared and collective responsibility.”
He, however, commended the Chief Judge of Rivers, Justice Simeon Amadi,for his leadership and resourcefulness.
The governor assured of the support of the Executive arm of government to provide tangible assistance in creating a sustainable environment to secure effective judicial independence and efficiency of justice delivery in the State.
Meanwhile, Fubara donated N50 million to launch a book titled: ‘History of Rivers State Judiciary, A Compendium of Personalities on the Bench’.