Fubara swears-in 8 new High Court judges, reflects on tough tenure

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has opened up about the challenges his administration has faced, revealing that a mysterious crisis threatened his leadership.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of eight new High Court judges, Fubara spoke about the unity that existed within the state’s political family when he first took office.

However, things took a dramatic turn, and the once-harmonious relationship gave way to division and turmoil.

Fubara shared his thoughts through a statement released by his chief press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, during the inauguration held at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on September 20.

The eight newly appointed judges are:

– Justice Frank Onyiri
– Justice Victor Chinedum Ugoji
– Justice Godswill Vidal Obomanu
– Justice Rita Chituru Oguguo
– Justice Alatuwo Elkanah Fubara
– Justice Bariyima Sylvester Kokpan
– Justice Lesi Wifa-Adedipe
– Justice Ibietela Innocent Madighi Obu

Fubara said: “But God was kind because he has offered another golden opportunity to steady the course of governance, stir up hope in the people and provide trusted leadership that is now widely accepted”.

The governor said that the reasons behind the political crisis that erupted in the state were beginning to unfold for many more people to understand clearly.

He said: “Good things do not come by so easily because, like a seed put into the ground, dies before germinating, sometimes things will get bad before they eventually become better”.

Fubara declared that Rivers having gone through the crucible of the crisis, was at a stage of rebirth with the promise of everything considered to have gone wrong being restored, if not totally but at 90 percent.

He said: “I want to thank every one of you, more especially our judges. You’ve been very strong even in the face of this crisis that we find ourselves in. God will lead us through it. I think it’s for a purpose, and that purpose gradually is unfolding, and we are seeing it ourselves.

“Things have to get bad before it will get well. You don’t harvest a maize without planting it. When these seeds are planted, they decay and they now, from there, start growing.

“So, I strongly believe that what we are facing, at the stage we are, is for a rebirth of our State, and with your support, we are going to get everything right. At least, if not everything, 90 percent of our issues will be right.”

On the inauguration of new judges, he said: “We are here today to consummate that process so that there will be more judicial officers that will help to drive the process of our Judiciary in the State.

“This opportunity (appointment) wasn’t given to you by me that is the truth. It is God that made it. Some of you here have looked for it in several ways.

“Some of you were even opportune to be magistrate nominees, but you didn’t make it. But, you are here today as Judges. It is only God that has made it, it is not me.”

Fubara told the newly sworn-in judges that he would never call any of them to ask for anything unjust because he expected them to be bold in standing up for the truth and restoring hope in the judiciary.

He said: “So, I am not going to ask you for anything, and I know that I have never called anyone of you here to ask for anything. Discharge your duty with the fear of God. I am saying it here, I will never call any of you here or even the older ones there to go and do what is wrong. Stand for what is right, and that is the only way God will elevate you; that is the truth.

“There is a line in our new national anthem that says ‘a country where no man is oppressed’. You are supposed to be at that balance. When anybody calls you for something that is not just, you ought to have the boldness to tell the person: this is not right, and I am not going to do it.

“My message is simple: do what is right, defend the course that you stand for, justice and equity.

“I also know that you are not going to disappoint the Judiciary, because if you do that, you are disappointing and failing those very poor voiceless people who believe that the only way they can truly correct the wrong is through the Judiciary. So, I appeal to you, stand on the side of right.”

The governor assured that his administration would sustain its support for the judiciary to ensure they did not lack anything to enhance their work so that they could resist attempts to compromise the expected standard.

He advised them to work amicably with their seniors with respect so that those coming after them would naturally respect them too.