Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State has invoked divine judgment on judges who accept bribes to manipulate justice.
Fubara made the pronouncement 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.
The governor condemned legal professionals who compromise their integrity to distort the law in favor of their “paymasters.”
He remarked, “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.”
Fubara emphasized that judges represent God within the justice system and should deliver judgments without fear or bias. He warned that the far-reaching implications of court rulings require judges to 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.”
Meanwhile, Fubara expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly the High Court Divisions, for their unwavering support. He acknowledged that many judicial officers had faced threats, physical assaults, and frivolous petitions meant to intimidate them into submission.
The governor urged judges to remain steadfast and resist pressure to compromise justice, saying, “Be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever.”
Fubara also stressed the importance of strong institutions in promoting democracy and good governance. He noted that institutional strength is vital for the country’s development, adding, “If I were a businessman, why would I invest in Nigeria when I see that individuals are stronger than institutions?”