Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has presented 29 new Renault Koleos 2020 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to chairpersons of the state’s customary courts.
The governor said the vehicles were given to the judicial officers to enable them to discharge their functions unhindered.
He asked them to operate independently, without influence or intimidation.
“If Nigeria wants to move forward if this country wants development, then we must allow the judiciary to operate independently and do their work,” Wike was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman Kelvin Ebiri.
The governor, however, lamented the unwillingness of judicial officers to seek independence in discharging their duties, adding that the judiciary is only seeking independence in the control of their budget.
“Independence is carrying out your job without anybody influencing you,” Wike said.
Commissioner for Justice Zaccheus Adangor commended the governor for his benevolence and support for the judiciary and advised the beneficiaries to continue to administer justice without fear or favour.
On his part, president of the customary court of appeal in the state Gabriel-Nwankwo said the gifts would motivate the judicial officers to perform their work.
