Judges in the country have been charged to assist in correcting any negative image the world may have painted about Nigeria.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State gave the charge at the official opening of the 2012/2013 Federal High Court Legal Year and the 28th Annual Federal High Court Judges Conference held at Le’ Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Nwaniba.

According to Akpabio, “Nigeria, our dear country is faced with challenges. Some are man-made; others inherited. There is no challenge which we as a people and nation cannot overcome. That is to say that there is nothing the judges cannot correct about what the world says about Nigeria that does not in any way represent who we really are. The world is looking at some dark spots in the greater picture of Nigeria and not the entire picture itself.

“Let them look at the entire picture and they will see a cultural heritage. Let them look beyond the spots and they would see the beauty of our great nation – the picture of the black race which the executive, legislature and judiciary must make sure that the black spot is obliterated. So the judges must do all they can to wipe away such dark spots from the country, so the country can regain its total image. We must work together with greater responsibility. That is why we need the judiciary and the judiciary needs us.”

The governor described the judiciary as a strategic partner in governance, saying, “We have made laws in our state and defended the fundamental human rights of all our people.”

He observed that the conference held on Wednesday (Sept. 19) would engender great happiness and expectations beneficial to the entire country.

“The happiness,” according to Akpabio, “is that the judiciary has risen to challenges of our time and has made do with the promise of our National Anthem, which is ‘Peace and Unity’. The great expectation is that as you commence the 2012/2013 Legal Year, you will improve upon the ones in the previous years.”

He urged the judiciary to show commitment in the speedy trial of suspected criminals using utmost care in determining cases so that the innocent won’t be punished and be vindicated. “You should administer justice without fear or favour, remembering that sentiments should not be the yardstick for justice,” he stated.

He commended Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta, for bringing respect to the judiciary, boosting the assurance of Nigerians and instilling confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary and giving hope to the younger generations.

In his speech, Hon. Justice Auta said it has become the practice of the court to meet annually to appraise the activities of the previous with a view to finding solutions to obvious or identified problems, noting: “In doing this, the judges in conference freely correct and or apportion blame to their erring colleagues and consequently resolve to improve on their performance.”

Justice Auta while thanking Governor Akpabio for declaring open the conference expressed the hope that the conference judges would go back to their stations better equipped and refreshed to continue their ever increasing task of administering unfettered justice to all manners of people who present their differences before the court.

*Photo, courtesy Akwa Ibom State Government House, shows Governor Akpabio (middle) chatting with Hon. Justice Auta (right) during the conference, while Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere (left) looks on.