Gov Fubara Curses Judges Who Pervert Justice
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has laid curses on Judges who pervert justice by allegedly accepting bribes to manipulate justice.
The Governor expressed frustration and disappointment at the rate of conflicting judgments from coordinate courts while speaking at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion in Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara lambasted certain legal professionals for compromising their integrity to serve the interests of those he called their paymasters.
The governor particularly lamented over judicial corruption and emphasised the need for ethical adherence within the legal system.
“Some of you, you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your paymasters to turn the law upside down.
“We all know the law when it comes to issues that have to do with the administration of governance in the State; it is within the jurisdiction of the State High Court. It doesn’t matter whether you joined INEC, or Police. It is a State’s matter! I am not a lawyer, but I know that one. And you stand and say you are doing the right thing? God will judge you.”
Governor Fubara reiterated that within the temple of justice, judges are seen to represent God, who must not be afraid to look at those who come to equity, but dispense justice rightly without fear or favour.
He also warned that, because court judgments have far-reaching implications, great care must be taken in making judicial pronouncements.
“Let me say it here so that you will understand: Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us. Your position is to look at whoever and tell the person the truth.
“Because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”
Governor Fubara also called for strenthening of the various institutions in Nigeria so as to support democracy.
“What we are praying for in this country is institutional strength and not individual strength. Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development in this country.
“If I am a businessman, and I am coming into Nigeria to invest, why will I invest when what I am seeing today is that institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than institutions?”, he asked.
