After Onnoghen, judges must be asking ‘who is next?’- Uzoma

Esther Uzoma is the National Coordinator of Proactive Gender Initiative and a rights activist. In this interview, she speaks on her new programme on increased women participation in the current government in Nigeria and other issues. The tenure of the new administration will commence on May 29, 2019. What are your expectations in terms of […]

Esther Uzoma is the National Coordinator of Proactive Gender Initiative and a rights activist. In this interview, she speaks on her new programme on increased women participation in the current government in Nigeria and other issues.

The tenure of the new administration will commence on May 29, 2019. What are your expectations in terms of women participation in governance?

Mr. President promised us so much, and this is his second tenure. This is a time for him to leave a legacy. This is the time for Mr. President to ensure that women get appointed as principal officers of the National Assembly and his cabinet.

What is your take on the rising cases of human rights violation in Nigeria involving the military and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives of the police?

Human rights is one of the hallmarks of constitutional democracy; and these fundamental rights are guaranteed by democracy. The level of violence happening in our country has forced the military to wear civilian garbs. So, we find now that we have military protecting our territorial integrity and also performing day to day functions of civilians. That should not be so. Let us not demystify our military by compelling them to do civilian duties. It is time we strengthen the courts and the police and respect court orders. Let the military man the borders so that they do not lose their aura and glory.

President Buhari in recent times has vetoed some Bills passed by the National Assembly. Are these Bills not relevant?

Mr. President in his wisdom declined assent to those bills. It is now open to the National Assembly to explore other options open to them. These options are either to veto them or to harmonise with the executive and bring them to the level that is acceptable to the president to sign. The most important thing is that these bills are made for the good of Nigerians, so it is good that they should see the light of day.

Any hope for these Bills? There is a reason why the drafters of our constitution made it necessary that presidential assent is a prerequisite for passing bills into law. There is also a wisdom in the procedure of vetoing bills, so it is not over for those bills. If the president feels it is not in line with his philosophy, then they can bring it back and then still pass it.

What is your view on Justice Onnoghen’s resignation? 

The honourable CJN has come to the sober realisation that when the forces of state are galvanised to achieve a goal, the state is almost unstoppable. He has experienced first hand how easily the state can break the ranks of all organs of government. By submitting himself to trial he demonstrated faith in the law, but by this resignation, he has given up the fight.

Meanwhile, the NBA whimpers in the background and still collects practicing fees and sundry duties. Lady justice is left unprotected, her minsters have lost their voice. These are worrying times and our judges must ask themselves, “Who is next?”

The NJC sent its findings on the petition by the EFCC against the CJN to the president. What do you think ought to have been done?

First of all, the hearings were conducted behind closed doors, and when they concluded, they also submitted the report to Mr. President. There is something undemocratic about it. We have always canvassed for open governance. Truth thrives in the open. Why are we giving people the impression that it is at the pleasure of the president? Granted that you are to advice the president, but are we not entitled to know what your findings on our chief justice are? Why are we building an altar of secrecy around it? We are entitled to know because such findings are not covered by the Official Secrets Act. So, I submit that there is something cloudy about the way they went about it.