Stakeholders demand ‘urgent meeting’ to save Nigeria’s judiciary
Major stakeholders in the legal and justice sector have called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to convene an urgent “Save Nigeria Judiciary” meeting of judicial officers in the country. One of the aims of the meeting, according to them will be “to explore stronger, cogent […]
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed.
Major stakeholders in the legal and justice sector have called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to convene an urgent “Save Nigeria Judiciary” meeting of judicial officers in the country.
One of the aims of the meeting, according to them will be “to explore stronger, cogent and collegial ways of responding to both the escalating incidence of disrespect of the judicial branch of government and the degradation of the rule of law in Nigeria.”
The stakeholders include the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro (SAN); Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) and Joseph Otteh, of Access to Justice (A2J).
They want courts to show willingness and resolve in defending judiciary’s democratic role and constitutional authority alongside public faith in the judicial process by using its inherent contempt powers to deal with, and restrain contempt of judgments and orders.
The call is coming on the heels of the reported invasion by the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Friday, 6th of December 2019, to arrest a former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Usoro said the invasion of the court was like having armed people go into the legislative chambers.
He mentioned further that a court is a place where rule of law ought to be observed but that the act of the DSS showed disregard for the rule of law.
On his part, Ajibade, submitted that law enforcement agencies must learn to operate within the ambit of the law and carry out their functions with utmost respect to the limits of their statutory mandate.
He added that “by its actions, the executive continues to undermine the independence of our courts and is, by so doing, inviting a state of anarchy.
He therefore, urged the president to direct all security agencies in the country to carry out their duties showing deference and respect for the judiciary.