Wike To The Judiciary, Never Be Intimidated By Other Arms Of Government: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike through his special media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu has enjoined the Judiciary to always deliver justice according to the law. He made it known that the judiciary must not allow itself to be intimidated by other arms of government.

Governor Wike emphasized that the Judiciary remains key in the sustenance of democracy. This was said during a courtesy visit paid by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, on Thursday at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

His words, “You are the ones to decide what is right or wrong. Never allow anyone to intimidate you. The moment you take the oath of office, dispense justice according to the law.

“People are afraid to dispense justice because of intimidation. In some cases, they use the EFCC to intimidate judges. Whether or not you do your work, they will come after you. Without the Judiciary, there will be no democracy “.

Governor Wike included that the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government are far more corrupt than the Judiciary, but they are the arms that criticise the Judiciary all the time.

“The most corrupt arms of Government are the Executive and Legislative Arms. When they say that the Judiciary is corrupt, I laugh. The pressure on the Judiciary is from the Executive and Legislative Arms. The people who initiate the process are the ones who are corrupt”, he said.

Governor Wike regretted that the judges have allowed themselves to be incapacitated by the Executive and the Legislative Arms, each time they fail to rise up to the occasion.

He said, “The Judiciary must stand up to say that enough is enough. If you don’t stand up, then this democracy is in danger.”

The Governor said as a result of ‘calculated intimidation’, the Judiciary is afraid to relate with state governments to get the support that will enhance the administration of justice.

He noted that all security agencies, especially the military, and the Police regularly demand and get regular financial and logistics support from state governments, but people the Judiciary from doing the same.

“The military and police and other security agencies come here regularly to collect financial support. If I tell you what the Rivers State Government spends on the security agencies, you will be shocked.”

“State Governments must support the administration of justice,” he said.

Speaking further, the Rivers State Governor called on the President Court of Appeal to increase the number of judges in the Port Harcourt Division because it is second only to the Lagos Division in terms of volume of cases.

He congratulated the retiring President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, for attaining the retirement age.

Governor Wike also commended her for the contributions she has made to the growth of the Court.

Justice Bulkachuwa commended the Rivers State Governor for the upgrade and remodeling of befitting accommodation for Court of Appeal Justices of the Port Harcourt Division.