Former President Goodluck Jonathan has charged the judiciary to ensure that the country stabilized politically.
The Peace Ambassador made the call Tuesday 4th June 2024, while inaugurating the Delta State High Court Complex in Asaba, the State capital.
He equally flagged off the presentation of 20 Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV)s, to Judges in the state.
He said his administration increased the retirement age of Professors and some level of judicial officers, just as he wondered why the former Chief Justice of the State retired why he was still very vibrant, saying “if I was still in office, probably I would have still extended the retirement age”.
According to him, “Nigerians are always expecting the best from the judiciary.
“One thing I told him was that there is one key difference between South Africa and Nigeria, is that if a South African lose election and he goes to court, it is very strange.
“But if a Nigerian politician lose election and you don’t go to court, it is very strange.
“Fifty percent of people who go to court, go to court because they felt they were cheated by the electoral management system, they were rigged out and when you feel aggrieved, naturally, you have to go Court.
“So, assuming the elections were properly conducted, that 50 percent, naturally will not go to court. The next 50 percent that go to court is that they know they failed election but they think they can use the judiciary to declare them winners.
“So, if the judiciary don’t declare people who don’t win election that they are winning, that remaining 50 percent will not go to court.
“In South Africa, the electoral management body will never compromise and they all know. So, if you lose election, you just wait for the next election, you don’t need to go to court.
“And because if you go to court, the judiciary too will not compromise, so you will not get anything and over the period, nobody goes to court.
“Nigeria, will be able to get there one day. So, I must use this opportunity to tell the judiciary to be very strong and do the right thing so that these litigations after elections will stop in the country”.
Earlier, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said the completion of the High Court building was in line with his commitment to the completion of projects inherited from previous administrations.
Oborevwori said he was motivated to complete the project because the judiciary was the only arm of government without a befitting building for their operations.
He said the presentation of 20 Toyota Prado SUVs to judges in the state was a fulfillment of “a promise made and a promise kept”.
While thanking the former President for coming to inaugurate the project, he said the erstwhile President remained a great Nigerian patriot, statesman and unique leader, in and out of office.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Delta State, I thank you for your friendship, partnership, and sustained interest in the progress of our dear state and Nigeria in general.
“Of the three arms of government, only the judiciary was lacking a befitting office building. This motivated me to hasten the completion of this project. I am glad that today the narrative has changed for good. The implication, going forward, is that the cause of justice will now be better served for the greater good of all.
“As a government, we have taken steps to further ensure that our judges and associated staff not only operate in a conducive and enabling environment, but are also provided with the necessary tools that complement the functionality and prestige of their offices”.
The Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Godknows Angele, at the occasion, said the building consisted of five floors, six court rooms, six conference halls, six witness waiting rooms, six holding cells, six Secretarial offices, two general conference halls, a ceremonial hall, Multi-purpose Hall, lawyers’ lounge, judges’ lounge, VIP lounge and a library, among others.
In his remarks, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, represented by the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division, Hon. Justice Bolaji Yusuf, commended the state government for providing the magnificent edifice as a temple of justice in the state.
He expressed optimism that other states would emulate the Delta State example by providing similar magnificent temples of justice for the administration of justice in other parts of the country.
Also, in her remarks, Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Theresa Diai, thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessors for the completion of the modern edifice, describing it as a magnificent testament and enduring commitment to the pursuit of justice and excellence in the judiciary.
The Chief Judge said the new High Court Complex had internet access and other critical Information Technology (IT) facilities in the building to enhance e-filing of court processes and e-payments for services rendered by the High Court of Justice.
