Bayelsa Governor Urges Judiciary To Speak Out On Burning National Issues

 

The Nigerian Judiciary has been urged to speak on burning national issues threatening its independence as an arm of government and the survival of democracy in the country.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, made the call on Monday while speaking at a ceremonial court session to mark the official commencement of the 2021/2022 legal year and unveiling of the state Judiciary magazine at the Chief Judge’s court, in Yenagoa.

Governor Diri said the rate at which the bench was being trampled upon in the country not only threatens the nation’s democracy but also denigrates the dignity and respect the judiciary rightly deserves.

The Governor, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, recalled the recent invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s Abuja home by some security operatives, describing the action as repulsive, crude and undemocratic.

He challenged the bench not to remain silent in the face of intimidation, noting that such brazen display of impunity could affect the dispensation of justice and the rule of law in the country, if not resisted.

Senator Diri equally called on the bench and the bar to take the issue of discipline among legal practitioners seriously by urgently reviewing and implementing their disciplinary measures to maintain high standards in the profession.

The Governor, who assured that his administration would do its best to improve on the welfare of members of the bench, promised to complete work on the ongoing renovation of courts in the state.

Addressing the issue of some courts sited in local government headquarters but sitting in Yenagoa, he said government would look into it and provide a system for the courts to sit in their original judicial divisions to bring judicial services closer to the people at the grassroots.

‘The Bench should not adopt the approach of the earthworm, who is so simple that everyone comes and tramples on it and walks away.

“I am saying this because of recent developments in the country. We can’t continue to walk on this route and expect the judiciary to be respected. Some of us must for once rise and say something.

“The solemnity we attach to the Judiciary not to say anything even when we are being trampled upon like the earthworm is an issue of great concern to us. If this is allowed to go on, it will get to a point where justice is going to dispensed with fear.

“I am referring to the issue that just happened to our sister, Justice Mary Odili. It is uncalled for. We want both the bar and the bench to come up very strong on this occasion. The Bayelsa State Government shall continue to condemn the action,” he said.

Earlier in her address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, commended the State Government for the appointment of more judges and the timely release of funds for implementing the Judiciary Funds Management Law.

Reviewing the 2020/2021 legal year, Justice Abiri listed the successful hosting of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Games, renovation and furnishing of courts, the introduction of the Nigerian Case Management System and digitalization of case filing/documentation as some of the achievements in the outgone legal year.

The Chief Judge, however, pleaded with government to speed up the construction of judges quarters at Opolo, the Magistrate Court complex in Yenagoa, as well as the renovation of dilapidated court buildings across the state.

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), expressed government’s commitment towards ensuring the speedy dispensation of justice in the state.

According to him, the state government would support the building of a Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Centre in the state capital to enhance the provision of legal services.

In his contribution, a legal practitioner, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN) stressed the need for the bench and the bar to jealously maintain the mutual and symbiotic relationship existing between them, describing them as two sides of one coin.

He advised legal practitioners to always respect one another and cautioned counsel not to belittle judges.