Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called on lawyers across the country to remain steadfast in defending the Constitution, protecting citizens’ rights and speaking truth to power, regardless of political pressure or other challenges.
Governor Fubara who made the call on Sunday while declaring open the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt described legal practitioners as key pillars of democracy and urged them to remain committed to justice, accountability and the rule of law.
The governor said members of the legal profession have a responsibility that extends beyond courtroom practice, stressing that they must defend ordinary citizens and public institutions whenever they are threatened or undermined.
He also challenged the judiciary to uphold its independence, integrity and impartiality, warning that public confidence in the justice system would continue to depend on the courage, competence and fairness of judges.
Governor Fubara cautioned against allowing justice to be weakened by technicalities, unnecessary delays, political interference and corruption, insisting that the legal system must remain responsive to the realities facing Nigerians.
He urged both the Bar and the Bench to recommit themselves to serving the public interest with compassion and professionalism while ensuring that justice remains accessible to all.
Highlighting his administration’s efforts to strengthen the judiciary in Rivers State, the governor said more judges had been appointed, additional courts established and a new Federal High Court complex was under construction for handover before the end of the year.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting judicial officers, respecting the financial and administrative autonomy of the judiciary and partnering with the NBA to promote constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
Delivering the keynote address, a former President of Liberia, Mr George Weah noted the important role of the bar and bench in safeguarding the freedom and rights of the citizens and charged lawyers and judges to always be impartial in the delivery of justice.
He stated that an independent judiciary protected by a fearless judicial bar, is crucial in every nation, stressing that threats to democracy do not emanate only from the barrel of a gun or failed leaders who want to perpetually clinch to power, but from the weakening of the judicial institutions that will be unable to perform its functions without fear or favour.
The former Liberian President emphasised that it is a dangerous threat to democracy, when a government describes itself as democratic but is corrupt and often collude with judges to undermine the rule of law..
Welcoming delegates from Nigeria and other countries to Port Harcourt, Fubara described the conference theme, “Beyond Limits,” as a challenge to legal practitioners to rise above obstacles in safeguarding democracy. He noted that the return of the NBA conference to Rivers after last year’s relocation reflected the restoration of peace, stability and democratic governance in the state.
Earlier, the outgoing President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe Esq harped on the theme of the conference Beyond Limit as part of the strategic commitment of the Association to interrogate the determination of Nigerians to accomplish whatever they believe in especially in promoting and protecting constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
He noted that the conference was rescheduled in Port Harcourt for 2026 after the city could not host the 2025 conference due to the declaration of state of emergency, stressing that the Association known for the defence of the constitution refused to host such a crucial conference under a sole administrator.
Mazi Osigwe commended Gov. Fubara for his resilience and commitment to the tenets of democracy despite challenges as well as the support to the judiciary through numerous efforts.
