October 14, 2016
Ade Adesomoju, Abuja
The National Judicial Council on Thursday condemned the raid on some judges’ houses by the operatives of the Department of State Services over the weekend and the subsequent arrest of the judicial officers.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Information, Mr. Soji Oye, late Thursday night, the NJC described the treatment meted out to the arrested judicial officers as a threat to the independence of the judiciary.
At the meeting, Oye said the NJC nominated to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to succeed the outgoing CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohamed, who retires on attaining 70 years of age on November 10, 2016.
The NJC expressed support for the President Buhari administration’s fight against corruption and the cleansing of the judiciary.
It also expressed confidence in the President Buhari’s administration’s resolve to hold uphold the principle of democracy and separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution.
But the council expressed what it termed as “grave concern” about the events leading to the arrest of the judicial officers, a development which it described as an “attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the judiciary.”
The NJC insisted that, “it (the council) maintains its earlier decision that no judicial officer shall be invited by any institution including the DSS, without complying with the rule of law and due process.”
The statement read in part, “At its last Emergency Meeting which was held on 11th October, 2016, Council reiterated its absolute confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari administration and its unwavering determination to uphold the principles of democracy, separation of powers and the rule of law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the United Nations Charter, which Nigeria is a member.
“That it shall continue to support the President Buhari administration in its fight against corruption in all its ramifications in the Federation; and in cleansing the judiciary of corrupt judicial officers.
“However, council expresses its grave concern on the recent invasion of the residences and arrest of some serving and suspended judicial officers by the Department of State Services; and condemned the action in its entirety.
“Viewed the action as a threat to the independence of the judiciary, which portends great danger to our democracy; and also considered the action as a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the judiciary.”
The council denied shielding judges accused of corruption, while it debunked claims attributed to the DSS in both the print and electronic media that the council failed to act on the petitions sent against the judges.
Describing claims credited to the DSS as “misinformation and disinformation,” it said it only received two petitions from the DSS with respect to the judges whose houses were raided.
The council said it only received two petitions from the DSS against Justice Pindiga, who had been cleared by it, and another one against Justice Dimgba, who was still being investigated while the raid on his home was carried out.
The NJC said the only pending petition against Justice Ademola was sent to the council by one Mr. Jenkins Duviegiane Gwebe.
“Contrary to the claim by the DSS and as published in the electronic and print media, Council has never received any petition against the aforesaid Judicial Officers: Hon. Justices Ngwuta and Okoro of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, by the DSS,” the statement added.
It said with respect to Justice Tsamiya, “At its meeting which was held on 29th September, 2016, Council had found His Lordship culpable of professional misconduct contrary to Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the provisions of Section 292 of 199
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