The governor spoke in Port Harcourt at the 66th annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), where he challenged members of the bench and bar to confront practices capable of weakening the administration of justice.
Fubara said the judiciary could not effectively perform its constitutional role in sustaining democracy if access to justice continued to be obstructed by technicalities, rigid procedures and undue delays.
He particularly expressed concern over the “brazen corruption” and “unjust precedents”.
He said such practices had inflicted serious damage on the reputation of the judiciary and the bar.
According to him, the significance of the courts extends beyond the settlement of disputes, as they remain a critical avenue through which citizens seek protection and redress when their rights are threatened.
“The courts are not merely venues for resolving social disputes. They serve as the ultimate refuge for all, including the common man like myself,” he said.
Fubara said the quality of justice delivered by the courts had wider implications for the stability and development of the country, linking the administration of justice to law, order and national progress.
He consequently urged judges to recognise the broader consequences of their decisions and avoid simply conforming to established positions where doing so could undermine justice or the public interest.
“Consequently, we expect that our judges should not be mere apologists or conformists if they are to be the ultimate guardians of our democracy, the rule of law and the advancement of peace and good governance in our country,” he said.
The governor also called for the legal system to respond to contemporary realities, arguing that laws and judicial processes could not remain insulated from changing circumstances in society.
“We cannot continue to insulate our laws from today’s reality. It is not possible,” Fubara said.
He warned that justice must not be obstructed by a combination of procedural barriers and institutional weaknesses, listing “unjust precedents, technicalities, inadequate access, undue delays, slavish adherence to rigid processes, political manipulation, or brazen corruption” among the impediments.
Fubara said the cumulative effect of these problems was particularly damaging because the judiciary depended heavily on public confidence in its impartiality and integrity.
“The prevalence of these serious impediments to justice in our polity has damaged and continues to damage the reputation of the judiciary and the bar,” he said.
The governor urged the bench and bar to use the conference to reassess their responsibilities to society and renew their commitment to public service.
He called for the administration of justice to be guided not only by professional competence but also by character and compassion, stressing the need for the legal profession to remain responsive to the needs of citizens.
