Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday raised a stark national alarm over what he described as the dangerous consequences of declining public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary, warning that any erosion of trust in the justice system could push citizens toward self-help, lawlessness and ultimately social anarchy.
The governor sounded the warning in Asaba during the swearing-in of six newly appointed judges for the Delta State High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal.
Oborevwori cautioned that when courts are perceived as compromised, slow or biased, citizens may abandon lawful redress and resort to jungle justice, a trend he said poses a direct threat to peace, security and democratic stability in the state and across the country.
“The stability of any democratic society rests heavily on a credible, transparent and independent judiciary,” the governor said, stressing that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
“Once people lose faith in the justice system, they may take the law into their own hands, and that is a recipe for chaos.
“Those sworn in as judges of the Delta State High Court are Justices Otite Jonah Akpobaro, Jereoma Sam-Oligida, Irene Boeye Ukuli and Otome Benjamin Adamidenyo, while Justices Bridget Onome Ojeikere and Stella Ovuorieroro Okah were sworn in as members of the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal.
Oborevwori urged them to uphold the highest standards of probity, courage, fairness and impartiality, warning that judicial officers themselves are often the real subjects of trial in the court of public opinion
“During adjudication, it is often the judge, not the litigants, who is ultimately on trial,” he said, cautioning against all forms of temptation capable of undermining judicial independence.
The governor explained that the appointments were made strictly in line with Sections 271(2) and 281(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), following nominations by the Delta State Judicial Service Commission and rigorous screening and approval by the National Judicial Council (NJC), in an apparent effort to reinforce transparency in the appointment process amid growing public scrutiny of the judiciary nationwide.
Oborevwori outlined what he described as concrete reforms aimed at strengthening justice delivery in Delta State.
He said the appointment of additional judges was intended to decongest overcrowded courts, reduce delays and extend access to justice, particularly to rural communities long underserved by the legal system.
He listed ongoing interventions by his administration, including the construction of judges’ quarters across the state, renovation of magistrates’ and customary courts, and the digitisation of the Laws of Delta State, now available on the state government’s website.Oborevwori revealed the introduction of the Delta State Criminal Information System, a centralised digital platform for criminal profiling, case management and offender tracking using biometric data, including fingerprints and DNA.
While congratulating the new judges on what he described as a vote of confidence in their integrity and professionalism, the governor stressed that their performance would ultimately determine whether the judiciary regains or further loses public trust.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Justice Bridget Onome Ojeikere expressed gratitude to the governor for respecting judicial independence and pledged that the judges would discharge their duties with integrity and without fear or favour.
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