Onoghen: Adherence to Rule of Law Will Solve Nigeria's Problems

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghen, has declared that most problems of the country would be resolved through strict adherence to the rule of law.

Onoghen also declared that if the country consistently respects the Rule of Law for four years, the building blocks of development would be firmly in place

The Chief Justice of Nigeria spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt when he inaugurated the ultra-modern National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt Division building constructed by the Rivers State Government under Governor Nyesom Wike.

The CJN also inaugurated the Court of Appeal building re-modelled by Wike’s administration.

At the National Industrial Court Complex, Onoghen said: "I believe that the solutions to our numerous problems lies in the adherence to the principles of the rule of law. If we do that for four years consistently, you will see that everything will fall back into place.

"The constitution provides for each and every one of us. It has given us designated and special functions. If we adhere to these functions and discharge them to the satisfaction of our conscience, there will be development."

He stated that in adhering to the Rule of Law, people would realise that there are societal taboos.

"For instance, locking up the courts. How can you in a democratic society think of locking up the courts? How can you say that you should deprive the judiciary of its funds, for instance?" he queried.

He charged Nigerian Judges to be fair, firm and courageous in the discharge of their functions.

He said: "You know that a man of integrity cannot be intimidated. You don't expect a man with integrity to be subservient. Sacrifices must be made if we are to come out of the woods".

He said the construction of the National Industrial Court by the Rivers State Government was a welcome development, and urged other state governors to emulate the gesture.