Kehinde Fajobi
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has openly criticised judges accused of accepting bribes to manipulate court rulings.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s in Port Harcourt, Fubara called for divine retribution against those twisting justice.
Addressing legal professionals, Fubara said, “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… God will judge you.”
He stressed that judges, as representatives of God in the temple of justice, should uphold fairness without fear or favour.
“Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us… Every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”
Fubara thanked the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly the High Court, for supporting his administration despite threats and assaults on some judges.
“We know quite alright that a good number of you have been threatened… but those of you who are doing the right thing… be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over.”
He emphasised the need for strong institutions to foster democracy and warned that weak institutions hinder development.
“Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development in this country.”
Reflecting on past challenges, he credited God for the positive changes in the state over the past year.