By  Innocent Anaba
Niger Delta activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has faulted the reported apology by Delta State Government to judges in the state over the kidnap of a judge in the state.

Chief Lori-Ogbebor, in a statement, weekend, in Lagos, insisted that the apology to the kidnapped judge and his colleagues in the state judiciary was totally out of the question, as only a diligent probe of the incident would be acceptable.

She said: “An assault on a judge anywhere in the country is an assault on the judiciary of the nation and the entire administration of justice system.  Kidnapping of a judge is not a matter that could be swept under the carpet by an apology from a top government official.

“The court is the last hope of everybody and therefore, it is the very tap root of the existence of the society. Our judges should not be allowed to work under intimidation, harassment and constant threat.”

“Their oath of office as expected of them; to dispense justice without fear or favour as an impartial umpire, then the environment in which they operate must guarantee not only their welfare but also their security.  This is why I am insisting, just like every right thinking Nigerian that only a deligent probe of the ugly incident by the authorities and institutions that I had sent my petition to will suffice.”

She argued that the case of a judge kidnapped on a day he was to deliver a ruling on a motion for injunction to restrain the government should be of interest to all lover of justice.

“We have been told that the suspects have been killed. We want to know who killed them and under what circumstances. The statement issued on the purported killing of the alleged suspects in the matter was it from the Police?”

She argued that what was important was the assurance that the judges can perform their duties in accordance with their judicial oath, which means that their security must be guaranteed at all time.

“A judge has only police orderly, who may be useless when the judge is under treat or his life is in danger. This is the core issue and that is why a mere apology by a top government official cannot be enough.  Only a discreet probe will serve the interest of all in the circumstances. Otherwise, I may be kidnapped; my lawyer may be kidnapped to end a matter abruptly. This is our fair right and that is why every right thinking Nigerian should feel concerned,” she said.