By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq.
The commencement of a new legal year provides an important opportunity to reflect on the state of the administration of justice, reaffirm the principles underpinning the rule of law, and renew the collective commitment to a judicial system that protects citizens’ rights and strengthens public confidence in democratic governance.
It was against this backdrop that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, called on judges and legal practitioners to uphold justice, integrity, impartiality and professionalism in the discharge of their duties as the state marked the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year.
Speaking at the thanksgiving Mass held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba, the governor emphasised the need for judicial officers and members of the Bar to resist undue influence, favouritism and personal interests, stressing that the rule of law must remain the guiding principle in the administration of justice.
His message underscored a fundamental principle of democratic governance: the credibility of the justice system rests not merely on the existence of laws and judicial institutions, but also on the integrity, independence and fairness with which they operate.
JUSTICE AS THE FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC TRUST
The judiciary occupies a critical position in every democratic society. Beyond adjudicating disputes, it protects fundamental rights, interprets the Constitution, upholds the law and provides a lawful avenue for resolving conflicts. Its effectiveness is therefore essential to maintaining public order, promoting accountability and preserving confidence in public institutions.
For citizens to trust the judicial system, 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 determined fairly, impartially and in accordance with the law.
Governor Oborevwori’s appeal to judges and lawyers to uphold the highest ethical standards reflects the importance of preserving this confidence. By urging legal practitioners to place justice above personal interests, he reinforced the need for a justice system in which the law applies equally to all and judicial decisions are guided by established legal principles rather than external considerations.
The governor’s reference to Exodus 23:1, 3, 6-8, which addresses falsehood, partiality, fairness and the rejection of bribery, further highlighted the moral responsibilities associated with the administration of justice. Similarly, his reference to Micah 6:8 reinforced the values of justice, mercy and humility as essential considerations in the exercise of professional and public responsibilities.
These principles are particularly relevant to the legal profession, where decisions can have far-reaching consequences for individual liberties, property rights, family relationships, commercial activities and the broader stability of society.
THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY
A strong and independent judiciary is indispensable to constitutional democracy. Its responsibility to interpret the law and adjudicate disputes must be exercised without improper interference, while its constitutional role in checking the other arms of government must be preserved.
Governor Oborevwori acknowledged this responsibility, describing an effective judiciary as essential to peace, security and sustainable development.
Judicial independence, however, must go hand in hand with accountability, transparency and professional discipline. The authority vested in judicial officers carries a corresponding obligation to act with integrity, exercise sound judgment and ensure that proceedings are conducted in accordance with established legal and ethical standards.
In the same vein, lawyers have a responsibility to uphold the dignity of their profession, promote lawful dispute resolution and contribute to the effective administration of justice. Their role extends beyond representing clients; it also includes protecting the integrity of legal processes and respecting the professional obligations that sustain the justice system.
In his homily at the thanksgiving Mass, Bishop Elue reinforced these considerations, describing the judiciary as a critical pillar of democracy with the responsibility to protect citizens’ rights, hold government accountable and ensure compliance with the Constitution.
His emphasis on transparency and accountability reflected the broader expectation that judicial institutions must operate in a manner that commands public confidence. As he noted, justice must not only be done but must also be seen to have been done.
This principle places a responsibility on judicial institutions and legal practitioners to ensure that their conduct, procedures and decisions reflect fairness and impartiality.
STRENGTHENING JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS
Beyond professional ethics, the effective administration of justice requires adequate institutional support. Courts need appropriate infrastructure, functional facilities, efficient processes and the resources necessary to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
Recognising these requirements, Governor 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 important because the quality of justice delivery is influenced not only by the competence and integrity of judicial officers but also by the conditions under which they work.
Functional court facilities, adequate administrative support and efficient case management can contribute to reducing delays, improving access to justice and ensuring that disputes are resolved within reasonable timeframes.
Similarly, attention to judicial welfare and institutional capacity can support the effective performance of judicial responsibilities, provided such measures remain consistent with the constitutional independence of the judiciary.
The objective must be to sustain a justice system that is accessible, responsive and capable of meeting the legitimate expectations of the people.
JUSTICE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The relationship between justice and development cannot be overlooked. 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 consideration in economic activity. Where disputes can be resolved fairly and efficiently, citizens and investors have a clearer framework within which to protect their interests and pursue legitimate opportunities.
Likewise, the judiciary’s constitutional responsibility to hold public institutions accountable contributes to responsible governance and reinforces the principle that the exercise of public power must be subject to the law.
For Delta State, strengthening the administration of justice is therefore relevant not only to the protection of individual rights but also to the broader objectives of peace, security, institutional stability and sustainable development.
These outcomes require cooperation among the judiciary, the legal profession, the executive, the legislature and other stakeholders, with each institution respecting its constitutional responsibilities.
A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
The caution by Bishop Elue 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. For this reason, the call for integrity must translate into everyday professional practice, including impartial adjudication, transparent proceedings, respect for due process and the rejection of corrupt or improper conduct.
The new legal year should therefore be approached as an opportunity for renewed professional commitment across the justice sector. Judges must continue to dispense justice without fear or favour; lawyers must uphold the ethics of their profession; and government must sustain institutional support while respecting judicial independence.
Equally, citizens must be able to access lawful remedies and have confidence that their rights will receive appropriate protection under the law.
The administration of justice is ultimately a collective undertaking, even though the responsibilities of the various institutions involved are distinct. Its success depends on the faithful performance of those responsibilities and an enduring commitment to constitutionalism.
As Delta State enters the 2026/2027 Legal Year, Governor Oborevwori’s message to judges and lawyers highlights the enduring importance of integrity, impartiality, judicial independence and the rule of law.
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Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq, is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and Director-General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Governor’s Office Asaba.
