Legal practitioners in Nigeria were on Monday charged to remain steadfast in defending the rule of law, constitutional democracy and fundamental human rights.
The charge came from the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, at the opening of the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Themed “Beyond Limits”, the conference brought together judges, lawyers and legal practitioners from across the country.
The governor, who described the legal system as the foundation of the relationship between government, public institutions and private organisations, added that the ultimate purpose of law is to protect and advance the security and wellbeing of citizens.
Fubara noted that this could only be achieved by ensuring equality before the law, safeguarding fundamental human rights and creating an enabling environment for socio-economic activities and national development.
The Rivers State helmsman warned that disregard for the sanctity of the rule of law, democracy and good governance could lead to social disorder, noting that order, peace and meaningful human progress thrive where the law is treated as sovereign.
Governor Fubara maintained that courts should not be seen merely as venues for resolving disputes, but as the ultimate refuge for citizens seeking justice.
The governor urged judges to consider the wider implications of their judgments, noting that the quality of justice delivered with integrity directly affects law and order and the pace of national development.
According to Fubara, “Judges must not become mere apologists or conformists. They must remain courageous as the ultimate guardians of democracy and good governance.
“As a layman, I am compelled to agree with the description of lawyers as the subtle nerves of the nation’s spine.”
He equally charged lawyers to show courage whenever political power attempts to overreach the Constitution, stressing that the legal profession has a duty to prevent the abuse of power and protect democratic values.
The governor said the greatest duty of a lawyer is to possess the conscience, commitment and courage to speak truth to power and defend the rights of citizens.
Reflecting on his administration’s experience, the governor declared that his government understands what it means to push beyond limits, noting that his administration had walked through the furnace of power but remained unbowed in its determination to safeguard the unity, peace and progress of Rivers State.
Fubara noted that the experience had strengthened his administration’s resolve to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
Highlighting his administration’s contributions to judicial development in the past three years, Fubara stated that his government had worked with the Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, to expand access to justice through the appointment of more judges and the establishment of additional courts.
The governor disclosed that his administration had constructed a Federal High Court facility which would soon be handed over to the Federal High Court.
Fubara reiterated his administration’s commitment to the administrative and financial autonomy of the judiciary, adding that deliberate steps had been taken to improve the security and welfare of judges.
He maintained that a strong and independent judiciary remains essential to sustaining democracy and good governance in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.