Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly invoked divine judgment on judges who allegedly accept bribes to manipulate justice. This statement was made during the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Anglican Communion, Diobu, Port Harcourt, on Thursday.
Fubara condemned legal professionals who compromise their integrity, asserting that some judges distort the law in favor of their “paymasters.” He expressed, “Some of you, claiming to be legal luminaries, know the truth but still go on air to pacify your paymasters, twisting the law upside down… God will judge you.”
The governor emphasized the role of judges as representatives of God within the justice system, urging them to deliver judgments without fear or bias. He highlighted the significant implications of court rulings, stating that judges must exercise great care in their decisions. “Judges, you are the God we see. Your position is to stand and defend us, to tell the truth to whoever comes before you,” he said.
Despite facing calculated antagonisms against his administration, Fubara expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly the High Court Divisions, for their unwavering support. He acknowledged that many judicial officers have encountered threats, physical assaults, and frivolous petitions aimed at intimidating them into submission.
The governor encouraged judges to remain steadfast and resist pressures to compromise justice, asserting, “Be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever.”
Fubara also underscored the importance of strong institutions in promoting democracy and good governance. He pointed out that institutional strength is vital for the country’s development, questioning, “If I were a businessman, why would I invest in Nigeria when I see that individuals are stronger than institutions?”
In a sermon delivered during the service, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, warned that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse due to inconsistent court rulings. He noted that conflicting judgments from courts of coordinate jurisdiction have deepened the country’s crisis, undermining leadership and unity. Bishop Ihunwo criticized the judiciary’s incoherence, asserting that it compromises governance and leaves Nigerians as needless victims of a broken justice system.