The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the judiciary to defend its independence especially as the 2019 general elections approach.
At the opening of the 2018/2019 legal year for the state judiciary in Port Harcourt, the capital on Saturday, the governor stressed the need for the judiciary to discharge its duties without external influence.
He said, “I will continue to support the judiciary to be effective in any way that we can. This is borne out of a belief that the justice and the legal system is not a sole responsibility of the judiciary alone and the courts need the support of all stakeholders.
“However, it is left for the judiciary to accept itself, defend its existence and independence and ensure that its discharges its constitutional functions without hinderance and interference within itself or from external influences”.
On her part, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkara, highlighted the issue of insecurity of judges.
She called on security agencies to fish out and prosecute those behind the invasion and shooting at the High Court premises on May 11, as well as attacks on other courts in the state.