Gov. Nyesom Wike of
Rivers has sworn in four new judges into the state’s judiciary and charged them
to show more commitment in the administration of justice. He made the call at
the swearing in of four judges, which comprised three judges of the State High
Courts and one Customary Court of Appeal judge on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
The governor urged the judges to adhere to
their oath of office while performing their duties. He said, “It is easy to
take oath of office and difficult to abide by the oath of office. “Wherever you
serve, it is important for you to show commitment”. Wike also charged judges
generally to be fearless, firm and steadfast as they dispense justice for the
good of the society. He said that the Judiciary had the responsibility to
correct the Executive arm of government whenever the executive was wrong.
“This country can be better if the Judiciary
plays its role. The Judiciary is the most powerful. When the Executive is
wrong, the Judiciary is there to correct it. “Anything done by the Executive,
can be upturned by the Judiciary, if they are firm,’’ Wike said. He called on
the Judges to live up to the challenges of dispensing justice fearlessly. Wike
urged judges of the State Judiciary to be focused and not be distracted by
other responsibilities. According to him, a few judges, aside serving in the
State Judiciary, are also Traditional Rulers. He urged such judges to choose
between the traditional institution and the Judiciary. He said: “How can you go
to court to seek justice and the judge that is supposed to preside over the
matter is not there? “You cannot continue to collect salaries and you are not
working. We are taking the matter of judges who are traditional rulers up with
the National Judicial Council for necessary action’’. Wike also announced that
the State Government would legalise the owner-occupier policy in residential
quarters for judges of the State Judiciary. He said that his administration
would implement the owner-occupier policy to encourage the judiciary to serve
the state better. The judges who took oath are: Justice Florence Fiberesima,
immediate Past Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice.
Others were Justice Mark Chuku, a former chief magistrate and deputy chief
registrar, and Justice Lemea Ngbor-Abina, a private legal practitioner. Wike
also inaugurated Justice Ericonda Amadi as judge, Rivers Customary Court of
Appeal at the occasion.
Source: Vanguard News Nigeria