Guardian

THE Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has urged judges and other legal practitioners in the state to be fair and upright in delivering justice to protect the rights of everyone, especially the weak and vulnerable in the society.

Amaechi spoke at the opening of 2012/2013 legal year and rededication service of the Rivers State Judiciary at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The Governor urged members of the state judiciary to allow their conscience guide their actions.

“One thing you must do is that you must take action that when you go to bed you will sleep like a baby. Always allow your conscience to guide you in whatever you do,” the governor advised.

He said he has so far kept his promise not to interfere in judicial process of the state.

“I must say to you that I have fulfilled the promise I made to the state about my relationship with judiciary.  I promised not to interfere. God knows that I have never interfered with what you people do. In fact, the only interference is when you invite me to your ceremonies.

“Believe me, I struggle to come. The attorney general literally dragged me here this morning, because I thought in the name of that separation of power that only lawyers should be allowed to join their lordships,” he said.

The governor said the state has been able to judiciously use allocations from the Federation Account to construct and repair roads in the state.

Amaechi said work on the Trans-Amadi road project awarded last year would start once other ongoing road projects are completed.

Bishop of Etche Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rev. Okechukwu Nwal, appealed to leaders to render sacrificial service to the people.