The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has charged the judiciary to crave for independence in discharging their functions without intimidation and not just to control budgets.
The Governor, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, said this was imperative because no government and country could make meaningful progress if the judiciary was not allowed to carry out their functions independently.
Wike stated this at the official presentation of 29 brand new Renault Koleos 2020 SUVs to Chairmen of the Customary Courts of the Rivers State Judiciary in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, saying the judiciary was far weaker than the other two arms of government.
He maintained that no one would be able to talk about democracy without the rule of law and added that the judiciary was pivotal in any given society where the rule of law reigned.
“If Nigeria wants to move forward, if this country wants development, then we must allow the judiciary to operate independently and do their work,” the governor said.
Wike described as unfortunate the unwillingness of the judiciary in Nigeria to seek true independence to discharge their functions without harassment and intimidation.
“They’ve always said they want to be independent, but truly speaking, you don’t want to be independent. I have never seen an arm of government that is so afraid, intimidated by other arms of government like the judiciary. I have never seen that in my life.
“The independence of the judiciary you are looking for is only for budget. But you are not talking about independence of how you can carry out your job without any influence or intimidation. Independence is more when you are able to carry out your job without anybody influencing you,” he stated.
The governor disclosed that he had told the state Attorney General that there was an urgent need to amend the law to expand the jurisdiction of the Customary Court of Appeal because chieftaincy matters were still being filed at the state High Court.
“So, we are going to expand their jurisdiction to allow them to take on chieftaincy matters in all the local government,” the governor said.
The Governor said the vehicles were given to the Customary Court chairmen to enable them to discharge their functions unhindered.
Speaking, Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zaccheus Adangor (SAN), commended the governor for his unwavering support for the judiciary and advised the beneficiaries to continue to administer justice expeditiously and more effectively.
The President, Customary Court of Appeal, Rivers State, Justice C.I. Gabriel-Nwankwo, said the provision of the official vehicles would inspire and motivate the beneficiaries to perform their work.
On her part, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra, said Governor Wike’s commitment to enhance the welfare of judicial officers in the country remained unparalleled.
