NBA Conference: Fubara Urges Judges to Consider Impact of Judgments on Nigeria

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged Nigerian judges to consider the broader impact of their judgments on the country’s political and socio-economic development while ensuring that justice is delivered without fear or favour.

Fubara made the call on Sunday while declaring open the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The governor said the quality of justice delivered by the courts was closely linked to law and order as well as the pace of national development.

He urged judges to ensure that truth prevails regardless of the status or social affiliation of the parties appearing before them.

“We cannot continue to insulate our laws from today’s reality; neither should justice remain shackled by unjust precedents, technicalities, inadequate access, undue delays, slavish adherence to rigid processes, political manipulation, or brazen corruption,” Fubara said.

He warned that such impediments to justice had continued to damage the reputation of the judiciary and the legal profession.

According to him, the judiciary remains central to democracy, good governance and economic development because the courts serve as a refuge for citizens seeking justice, accountability, human dignity and the enforcement of their constitutional rights.

Fubara said the ultimate purpose of the law was to protect and advance the security and wellbeing of citizens by ensuring equality before the law, protecting fundamental human rights and creating an environment conducive to economic and social development.

He maintained that peace and meaningful progress could only thrive where the rule of law was respected.

“Consequently, we expect that our judges should not be mere apologists or conformists if they are to be the ultimate guardians of our democracy, the rule of law and the advancement of peace and good governance in our country,” he said.

The governor said public confidence in the judiciary would improve when judges demonstrated sound knowledge of the law, strong legal reasoning, courage, commitment and integrity in holding both government and citizens accountable to the Constitution.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Beyond Limits,” Fubara charged Nigerian lawyers to rise above real or perceived constraints and defend the Constitution and the rights of citizens to democracy and good governance.

“In Rivers State, we understand what it means to push beyond limits. We have walked through the furnace of power, may have been bruised, yet remain unbowed in our determination to safeguard our unity, peace and progress,” he said.

Former Liberian President George Weah, who delivered the keynote address, also called for an independent judiciary and an impartial legal profession to protect democracy and citizens’ rights.

Weah said every serious nation needed an independent judiciary supported by a fearless legal profession, warning that threats to democracy could also emerge when judicial institutions were weakened and unable to perform their constitutional responsibilities.

“Democracy doesn’t end on the election night, but it is tested every single day,” Weah said, stressing that democracy could not survive on strong individuals but on strong institutions.

The former Liberian president also warned against governments that claim to be democratic while engaging in corruption or working with judges to undermine the rule of law and manipulate society.

He urged lawyers and judges to remain impartial and committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens.