NBA conference: Fubara, Weah call for independent judiciary to protect democracy

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged judges to consider the wider impact of their judgments on society, stressing that the quality and integrity of justice delivered by the courts are critical to maintaining law and order, and driving national development.

Fubara gave the advice on Sunday while declaring open the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, on the theme ‘Beyond Limits,’ in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He said the judges must ensure that nothing but the truth prevails at all times, irrespective of status or social affiliations.

“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.

“The prevalence of these serious impediments to justice in our polity has damaged and continues to damage the reputation of the judiciary and the bar,” he said.

Fubara said that in a democratic society, the legal system sets out the rules of conduct and the basis for the relationship between the government, public and private institutions, and the citizens.

Apart from upholding the rule of law, he said the judiciary is also essential to any country seeking to foster true democracy, good governance and economic development.

According to the governor, the courts are not merely venues for resolving social disputes; they serve as the ultimate refuge for all, including the common man, to pursue true justice, accountability, human dignity and the enforcement of their legal and constitutional rights.

“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 noted.

Fubara stated that public confidence in the quality of the nation’s judiciary would be enhanced only when judges demonstrate a sound knowledge of the law and display excellent legal reasoning, courage, commitment and integrity to hold the government and the governed equally accountable to the constitution and the rule of law.

“This is perhaps the only way to ensure that justice is not merely an ideal, but one that can transform our society by being present in the life of our nation and of every citizen, including those at society’s margins, not just the privileged few.

“It is said that in times of uncertainty, particularly when political power attempts to overreach the Constitution and the rule of law, it is the courage of the legal profession that can intervene to nip such aberrations in the bud and ensure that the process of power is not used to circumvent the laws of the land and the values of democracy.

“In Rivers State, we understand what it means to push beyond limits. We’ve walked through the furnace of power, may have been bruised, yet remain unbowed in our determination to safeguard our unity, peace and progress, and are more resolved than ever in our commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” he said.

A former President of Liberia, George Weah, who delivered the keynote address at the conference, also emphasised the crucial role of the bar and the bench in safeguarding the rights and freedom of the citizenry.

He charged lawyers and judges to remain impartial in the delivery of justice, while noting that an independent judiciary protected by a fearless judicial bar is needed in every nation.

He reminded the delegates that democracy doesn’t end on election night, but it is tested every single day, adding that democracy cannot survive on strong men but on strong institutions.

The former Liberian leader described as a dangerous threat to democracy, governments that call themselves democratic but are corrupt and in bed with judges to undermine the rule of law and manipulate society.