Wike tasks new judges on commitment to dispensation of justice

Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on judges to show more commitment to the administration of justice.

Speaking during the swearing-in of judges of the Rivers state High Court and Customary Court of Appeal at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Gov. Wike urged the judges to observe their oath of office as they worked for the state.

The state high court justices sworn-in by the governor include Justice Florence Fiberesima, Justice Mark Chuku, and Justice Lemea Ngbor-Abina, while Justice Ericonda Amadi was inaugurated as a judge of the state Customary Court of Appeal.

He said: “It is easy to take the oath of office and difficult to abide by the oath of office. As judges, show commitment in the administration of justice. Wherever you serve, it is important for you to show commitment.”

Gov. Wike charged judges to be fearless, firm and steadfast as they dispensed justice for the good of the society, reiterating that the judiciary has the responsibility to correct the executive whenever it goes wrong.

“This country can be better if the judiciary plays their role. The judiciary is the most powerful. When the executive is wrong, the judiciary is there to correct it. Anything done by the executive can be upturned by the judiciary, if they are firm,” he said.

He called on the judges to live up to the challenges of dispensing justice, stating that “I vied to be governor of Rivers state and there are challenges. You opted to be a judge, there are challenges. You should be mentally and psychologically prepared to face the challenges.

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“After today, you are required to do tasking jobs; jobs that will affect you and your family. You have taken an oath and you must abide by the tenets of the oath.”

Gov. Wike charged the judges to be focused and not be distracted by other responsibilities, regretting that a few judges aside serving in the state judiciary were also traditional rulers.

He urged such judges to choose between the traditional institution and the judiciary, saying “how can you go to court to seek justice and the judge that is supposed to preside over the matter is not there? You cannot continue to collect salaries when you are not working.

“We are taking the matter of judges who are traditional rulers up with the National Judicial Council for necessary action.”