Harassment of judges, threat to democracy- Okowa
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, described as harassment and intimidation of some judges in the country by DSS, saying that such harassment portends threat to democracy.
Governor Okowa, while addressing lawyers/judges at the thanksgiving mass to kick of the 2016/2017 Legal Year of the state, said; “I do not subscribe to the harassment of judges by DSS, it is strictly a threat to Democracy” and called on the DSS to avoid on raiding the privacy of judges to operate within the confines of the law.
Governor Okowa represented by his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, however landed the Judiciary for the immense support to democracy and his administration expressing his confined support and enabling environment for the judiciary to operate.
He said that the role of the judiciary in any society cannot be over stressed and called on members of the bar to uphold the ideals that will not ridicule the noble profession.
Earlier, the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshall Umukoro, reassured the people of the state that the judiciary will continue to be committed to dispensation of Justice to all without fear of favour adding “We shall observe the judicial oath and do justice to all manners of men and women without fear of favour, but those who may be dissatisfied with our judgments, decisions or rulings, I dare say that name calling, unsubstantiated allegations and hastily petition writing should be slowly adhered to”
While thanking other Judges/Lawyers and judicial workers for their hard work during the past Legal Year, the Chief Judge lauded the state governor for his continue supports to the judiciary.
