ASABA —GOVERNOR James Ibori of Delta State said Saturday in Asaba that his recent ordeal in the ex-convict matter was a test case for the judicary in a democracy like Nigeria.
Speaking at a dinner in honour of Judges from the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal who were in the state, the governor said "my interest in the judiciary is rooted in my believe that it is the last hope of the common man. Without a vibrant judiciary, our democracy will lose the checks and balances as a means of checking the abuse of power", adding that "my reecent personal experience (ex-convict case) is a test case".
He also noted that the judiciary had a significant role to play in his administration’s efforts at bringing lasting peace to warring factions in the state esepcially in the Warri axis, stressing that a vibrant judiciary was a sine qua non for a stable and virile democracy in the country.
He also appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal to consider making Delta state a division of the court because of its strategic position. Saying "I am proud that my administration has placed and will continue to place a high premium on the judiciary as a veritable corner stone of our democracy" he continued, adding that his administration has accordingly embarked on a number of projects like an information technology based justice system all aimed at efficient dispensation of justice in the state.
Those efforts, he said were in recognition of the roles that a verile judiciary could play and have been playing since the new democratic experiment in inspiring confidence in the people in the ability of government to deliver democratic dividends under a peaceful environment.
In his remark, the Presiding Justice of the court, Justice Rabiu Muhammed stated that the special court session in the Benin division comprising Delta, Edo and Ondo states were aimed at quick dispensation of justice and bringing justice to the door step of the people.
"We of the court of appeal in recognition of our responsibility in the pursuit of justice according to law , knowing that justice and law are twin pillars on which democracy , peace , order and good governenace thrive, knowing that we are part of the Nigerian society and cannot be less concerned about peace, order and good government and government have decided to bring justice to the door step of the people of Delta State," he said.
