Democracy, Rule Of Law Under Threat Without Upright Judiciary – Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on Friday warned that the judiciary in the country is under threat if it can easily be manipulated.

Wike further stated that this has put democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria constantly under threat.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor charged the judiciary to live up to its responsibilities.

Wike stated this while speaking in Abuja at the lunch of a book, “Legal Paradigm in Nigeria: A New Direction in the Study of Law and Practice,” in honour of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki.

The Rivers State Governor blamed the issue in the judiciary on prevailing political uncertainty in the country.

Governor Wike also noted that the lack of character and courage by some judges and their inability to live up to their oath of office could be blamed for “ineffective judicial performance”.

He said, “The judiciary dies where it lies comatose and removed from the aspirations of the citizens for good governance, the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and the guarantee of free and fair elections.

“The judiciary dies when it can easily be manipulated; when justice can be procured, when injustice is rendered in place of justice to the aggrieved parties, or when a resort to self-help and other means of redress outside the law becomes the preferred norm by citizens.”

Wike said the judiciary can save the country by ensuring justice and equity by upholding the truth at all times and standing up to any other power or principality that attempts to undermine or override its constitutional responsibilities, powers and processes.