Former President Goodluck Jonathan has implored the political class to accord the judiciary the respect and dignity it deserves.
He admonished politicians to allow the judiciary perform its constitutional functions without fear and in accordance with the letters of the law.
Jonathan gave the admonition during the book presentation/reception that ended week-long activities that marked the retirement of the Bayelsa State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri.
At the event in Yenagoa, the state capital, Jonathan acknowledged the critical role Justice Abiri played when she swore in the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, thus averting a constitutional crisis in the state.
He advised politicians not to be blinded by the power they wield, while urging judicial officers to strive to be impartial and courageous in upholding the rule of law, which he noted was significant in the delivery of justice.
He said: “I advise politicians that while in office, let us not try to blackmail the judiciary because it is conservative. When we get political power, we get so blinded. Politicians should know that society is changing.
“Today, we are celebrating our retiring Chief Judge because she has served meritoriously. In 2015, she left Bayelsa for Rivers to perform the swearing-in of the governor thereby averting anarchy. It appears that the judicial arm is more functional than the executive.”