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I’m Committed To Defence Of Justice- Gov Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has restated his avowed determination to defend the course of justice in the State, no matter what it will cost.
Governor Fubara spoke at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion, Diobu at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Governor said, unarguably, the Judiciary is sacred temple of justice and should always hold up such assurances for everybody that approached it, and not the other way.
Governor Fubara took a swipe at some legal luminaries, who smeared their conscience to canvass what is professionally an aberration, doing so to please their pay masters.
He said, “Some of you, you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your pay masters 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 stated 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, and dispense justice rightly without fear or favour.
The Governor warned that, because court judgments have far-reaching implications, great care needed to be taken in making judicial pronouncements.
He said, “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 applauded the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly, the High Court Divisions for their sundry support that have contributed to keeping his administration going despite calculated antagonisms.
The State Governor alluded to the fact that some judicial officers in the State have been either threatened, physically assaulted or slammed with frivolous petitions raised against them to coerce them to submit.
Governor Fubara urged them to remain resolute in their commitment to stand on the side of truth, and never compromise justice.
He added, “I want to thank the Rivers State Judiciary, more especially, the High Court of Rivers State, for your support, for keeping this administration afloat up untill this hour.
“We know quite alright that a good number of you have been threatened by way of phone calls and even physical assaults. We are also aware that some of you have been threatened professionally through petitions that are fake and frivolous.
“But one thing that you need to understand is that you must be persecuted when you are doing the right thing. And those of you who are doing the right thing that are being fought from all sides, be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever.”
Governor Fubara assured that the leadership of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, will record more successes under his administration.
The Governor, who promised to ensure that such is possible, also said that he will never call him or any other judge to do anything that is wrong.
Governor Fubara insisted that should there be such call, the chief judge should not hesitate to disgrace him publicly, and do same boldly to any other person who will call the CJ to do the wrong thing against the law.
He also harped on the importance of having strong institutions thrive to entrench democracy and good governance so as to engender a healthy and prosperous society.
The Governor said when institutions are deliberately weakened, it is the entire society that suffers eventually.
He explained, “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?”
The Governor further said: “This State belongs to all of us. It is not about Fubara today. If this institution is destroyed, when another person comes in tomorrow, it is the same thing that will happen.
“We need to stand and defend it, and you are the right people to do it. I am here today to assure you that even if I have my last breath, I will defend the cause of justice in this State.”
Governor Fubara acknowledged the support so far that he had received from some persons who have remained resolute despite the several attacks they have received because they are refusing to allow detractors to sink the State.
He said the journey has not been easy for him and all Rivers people following the happenings, but assured that his administration has remained focused, regardless.
Governor Fubara insisted: “A lot of the good works that we are doing, the enemy is overshadowing it with bad news.
“But very soon, we are going to go into areas and programmes to showcase what we have been doing, not just for the Judiciary, but other aspects of governance in our dear State.
“I want to thank and assure you that I will continue to support you (Judiciary). And my prayers, as you start your new legal year, is that God will be with you, God will support you.”
Governor Fubara recalled that October, 2023, the story was different, but today, one year after, everybody is smiling because of the grace of God.
He emphasised that when God is in every business affairs, no matter the level of gang up, it will be difficult to be defeated, adding that because his administration has continued to trust in God, He will lead him and his team to glorious end.
In his sermon, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, preaching on the topic, “Called To Uphold Justice”, said Nigeria is collapsing, owing partly to the conflicting judgments always emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, which have deepened the festering crisis.
Such deliberate incoherence from the Judiciary, Bishop Ihunwo, noted, skews leadership, jeopardises unity of the country, and affects smooth governance, making Nigerians direct or indirect needless victims of such brute justice system.
He warned that those who engage in such merchandise will be punished by God no matter how long it takes.
Bishop Ihunwo also exhorted on the eternal blessings associated with submission to constituted authority, regardless of the age and education of the occupants of such positions, asserting that all authority is ordained by God, warning that rebels will always be treated as rebels.
The State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, read the only Lesson of the Service.
There were prayers said for the continual help, strength, wisdom and boldness of the judicial officers to discharge their responsibilities, peace of Nigeria and Rivers State.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
