Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to use its medium as a means of activism to advance the values and aspirations of the legal profession as a positive social force.
Wike made this known during the NBA annual general conference held at the Yakubu Gowon stadium in Port Harcourt. The Governor also criticised what he described as the cowardice disposition of NBA in seeking for good governance, democracy, judicial independence and the rule of law. “The NBA has failed to use its powers to demand justice for the people, deepen democracy, hold leadership accountable”. He further tasked the judiciary on the speedy conclusion of criminal justice in the country.
The keynote speaker, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah charged Nigerians to see the reflection of themselves in the constitution as a means for national growth. He blamed the persistent of the country’s problems on the constitution’ inability to inspire the confidence of the people.
He warned that the internal strife between the younger generation and the older generation must stop for the good of the country.
On his part, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad appealed to the Nigeria Bar Association to stand in the defense of Judges during needless assault to trample judicial process.
Justice Mohammad who was represented by Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court also called on Judges across the states to stick to the tenets of the constitution and stop giving conflicting judgments in similar cases.
The CJN also urged Judges to see the administration of justice as one of the fundamental solutions to some of the nation’s crisis.