Oshiomhole stresses role of judiciary in development

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has reiterated the readiness of his administration to work with the judiciary to nurture and strengthen democracy in the country.He said the economic development and political stability of Nigeria depend on a strong Bar and viable Bench.He made the remarks when the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), visited him in Benin City, the state capital yesterday.Daudu had given Oshiomhole thumb up for his development strides in the state.In a statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Peter Okiria, he quoted Daudu as saying: 'I acknowledge that you are doing a very good job.'Daudu spoke when he led a team of leaders of Benin City, Auchi and Ekpoma branches of the NBA on a visit to the governor.He said: 'I have always been familiar with Benin City, and indeed Edo State; I do a lot of cases here; so I've always had cause to come here. But on flying in this afternoon (yesterday), I noticed some changes in the landscape. I could see some schools not looking the same way I left them; I saw that a lot of roads have changed. I saw structures. I know that there are more that are not visible to the naked eye and I'll just like to place on record that with what I have seen, I acknowledge that you are doing a very good job.'Oshiomhole stressed the importance of the judicial system to the survival of the nation's democracy.According to him, 'we need the courts for democracy to strive and to survive. In fact, democracy is a celebration of the rule of law. Even to be able to attract foreign investors and retain them, they must have confidence in the judicial system.'Where the judiciary is not seen as capable of interpreting the law, certain level of investors will not want to come. So you do occupy very sensitive place in the Nigeria project.'He noted that the Bar has formidable challenges confronting it, adding that the courts can only function with vibrant, knowledgeable and courageous lawyers.Oshiomhole said, 'anything the state government can do to support the Bar as an institution to remain strong to guide its members to keep Nigerian democracy afloat, you can be rest assured, it will be done.
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