Ohakim tasks Judiciary on Democracy

Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim has called on the judiciary to rise above any form of intimidation to assist in the deepening of the nation’s fledgling democracy.
He said the role of the judiciary remains critical to the survival of democracy, urging members not to compromise standards under any circumstance so as to save the country’s developing democracy.
Ohakim made the appeal in Owerri at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch Law Week.
Speaking on the theme: Nigeria’s Democracy so far--A critical appraisal of the role of the legal profession, Ohakim said the institution of the judiciary is the last hope of the common man, advising legal practitioners to rise to the challenge of the profession so as to aid the development of democracy, widely accepted as the best system of government.
The governor appealed to the members of the judiciary not to allow politicians manipulate the legal system and to at all-time ensure that people get justice on time.
‘’the role of the judiciary remains critical to the survival of our democracy. The judiciary must rise beyond intimidation and pronounce justice without fear or favour. The institution must not compromise justice as they remain the last hope of the common man. If democracy must be strengthened and deepened then the judiciary must rise to the challenge’’ he submitted.
Also in his address, Chairman of NBA, Owerri branch Ama Akalonu said since the dawn of the 4th republic the legal profession in the country has continued to play a cardinal role in the political arrangement, urging political parties to play by the rules so as to allow the votes of the people to count.
‘’the bar will never abdicate its traditional role of speaking for the bench, no matter. The bar demands for peaceful, free and fair elections. The bar has drawn up its own agenda to independently monitor the elections in all local government areas in the country. We call on all political parties to play according to the rules and allow the vote of the people to count’’ Akalonu counselled.   

Arinze Ezeala
arinze.ezeala@yahoo.com
                                                       Imo is in the hands of God!!!!