By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on judges and legal practitioners to uphold integrity, impartiality, professionalism and judicial independence, stressing that justice must be administered without fear, favour or undue influence.
The governor made the call as Delta State marked the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year, using the occasion to reaffirm the importance of the rule of law, ethical conduct and public confidence in the administration of justice.
Speaking at a thanksgiving Mass held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba, Oborevwori urged judicial officers and members of the Bar to resist external pressure, favouritism and personal interests in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
He emphasised that the credibility of the justice system depends not only on the existence of laws and judicial institutions but also on the fairness, independence and integrity with which they operate.
Justice as the Foundation of Public Trust
The judiciary occupies a central position in every democratic society. Beyond resolving disputes, it protects fundamental rights, interprets the Constitution, upholds the law and provides a lawful framework for resolving conflicts.
An effective judicial system is therefore essential to maintaining public order, promoting accountability and strengthening confidence in democratic institutions.
For citizens to trust the courts, they must be assured that access to justice is not determined by wealth, social status, political influence or personal connections. Every individual must have confidence that disputes will be resolved fairly, impartially and in accordance with established legal principles.
Oborevwori’s appeal to judges and lawyers to maintain the highest ethical standards reflects the need to preserve this confidence and ensure that justice remains accessible to all.
The governor also drew attention to biblical teachings on justice and ethical conduct, citing Exodus 23:1, 3, 6-8, which addresses falsehood, partiality, fairness and the rejection of bribery.
He further referenced Micah 6:8 to reinforce the values of justice, mercy and humility in the discharge of professional and public responsibilities.
These principles remain particularly relevant to the legal profession, where decisions can have far-reaching consequences for individual liberties, property rights, family relationships, commercial activities and the stability of society.
Judicial Independence Must Be Protected
A strong and independent judiciary is indispensable to constitutional democracy. Judges must be able to interpret the law and adjudicate disputes without improper interference, while preserving the judiciary’s constitutional responsibility to check abuses of power by other arms of government.
Oborevwori acknowledged the importance of an effective judiciary, describing it as essential to peace, security and sustainable development.
However, judicial independence must be accompanied by accountability, transparency and professional discipline. The authority vested in judicial officers carries a corresponding responsibility to act with integrity, exercise sound judgment and conduct proceedings in accordance with established legal and ethical standards.
Lawyers also have an important role to play in safeguarding the justice system. Beyond representing their clients, legal practitioners are expected to uphold professional ethics, respect due process, promote lawful dispute resolution and protect the integrity of legal proceedings.
In his homily at the thanksgiving Mass, Bishop Elue described the judiciary as a critical pillar of democracy, with the responsibility to protect citizens’ rights, hold government accountable and ensure compliance with the Constitution.
The bishop’s emphasis on transparency and accountability reinforced the expectation that judicial institutions must operate in ways that command public confidence.
Justice, as the enduring legal principle holds, must not only be done but must also be seen to have been done.
This requires judicial institutions and legal practitioners to ensure that their conduct, procedures and decisions reflect fairness, impartiality and respect for the law.
Oborevwori Reaffirms Commitment to Judicial Development
Beyond professional ethics, the effective administration of justice requires adequate institutional support, functional court facilities, efficient processes and sufficient resources to enable judicial officers to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
Recognising these needs, Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary through infrastructure development, improved welfare and the provision of an enabling environment for effective justice delivery.
Such support is crucial because the quality of justice depends not only on the competence and integrity of judicial officers but also on the conditions under which they work.
Functional court facilities, adequate administrative support and effective case-management systems can help reduce delays, improve access to justice and ensure that disputes are resolved within reasonable timeframes.
Similarly, attention to judicial welfare and institutional capacity can improve the performance of the justice sector, provided such measures remain consistent with the constitutional independence of the judiciary.
The ultimate objective, therefore, must be to build a judicial system that is accessible, efficient, responsive and capable of meeting the legitimate expectations of the people.
Justice, Accountability and Sustainable Development
The connection between justice and development remains fundamental to good governance.
A credible legal system provides the institutional framework for protecting property rights, enforcing contracts, resolving commercial disputes and ensuring that public authority is exercised within the limits of the law.
For individuals and businesses, confidence in the justice system is an important factor in economic activity. When disputes can be resolved fairly and efficiently, citizens and investors have a more reliable framework for protecting their interests and pursuing legitimate opportunities.
The judiciary’s constitutional responsibility to hold public institutions accountable also strengthens responsible governance and reinforces the principle that the exercise of public power must remain subject to the law.
For Delta State, strengthening the administration of justice is therefore relevant not only to protecting individual rights but also to promoting peace, security, institutional stability and sustainable development.
Achieving these objectives requires cooperation among the judiciary, the legal profession, the executive, the legislature and other stakeholders, with each institution respecting its constitutional responsibilities.
A Shared Responsibility for Justice
Bishop Elue’s warning that misconduct by a few judicial officers could undermine public confidence in the entire judiciary serves as a reminder that institutional credibility is built through consistent ethical conduct.
Public trust, once weakened, requires sustained effort to restore. Consequently, the call for integrity must translate into everyday professional practice, including impartial adjudication, transparent proceedings, respect for due process and the rejection of corruption and other forms of improper conduct.
The commencement of the new legal year should therefore serve as an opportunity for renewed commitment across the justice sector.
Judges must continue to dispense justice without fear or favour. Lawyers must uphold the ethics and dignity of their profession. Government must provide appropriate institutional support while respecting judicial independence. Citizens, in turn, must be able to access lawful remedies and have confidence that their rights will receive adequate protection.
Although the responsibilities of the institutions involved are distinct, the administration of justice remains a collective undertaking. Its success depends on the faithful discharge of constitutional duties and an enduring commitment to the rule of law.
As Delta State enters the 2026/2027 Legal Year, Oborevwori’s message to judges and lawyers underscores the enduring importance of integrity, impartiality, judicial independence and fairness in building a justice system that commands public confidence.
About the Author
Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Governor’s Office, Asaba.