Abuja: Mr Afam Okeke, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja (Unity Bar), has urged Nigerians to continue to uphold the values of justice, freedom, accountability, and the rule of law which remain the foundation of every thriving democracy. Okeke made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja. He noted that the day should remind Nigerians of the sacrifices made for democratic governance and the collective responsibility we all share in building a more peaceful, united, and prosperous Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, he also urged judicial officers to embrace emerging trends in criminal justice. “There is a great need for judicial officers to strive and remain current with new developments in the practice of criminal prosecution, paying particular attention to technological and scientific trends,” Okeke stated. He emphasized that trials in courts have vastly changed over the years and now require greater care and awareness due to the availability of electronically generated evidence.
Okeke added that judicial officers must acquire sufficient knowledge to properly assess scientific and electronic evidence while safeguarding constitutional rights and fair trial guarantees. He cautioned fellow judicial officers against relying unquestioningly on expert evidence, as some reports presented in court may be inaccurate. He reminded them of their role as the ultimate guardians against injustice, urging them to uphold high standards of fairness, human rights, and constitutionalism, especially for vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, Okeke called for the application of human rights principles in daily judicial work. He stated that this would boost public confidence, promote constitutional governance, and help judicial officers fulfill their oath of delivering justice impartially. “May we never relent in promoting good governance, protecting democratic institutions, and advancing the cause of justice for all,” he added.