Chief Justice of
Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has given reasons the
National Judicial Council (NJC), which he heads, suspended judges
accused by the Department of State Services (DSS) of corruption and
falsification of assets.
The CJN said the
NJC’s action was informed by the desire of the Judiciary to preserve its
independence. He said the NJC had to act
because the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Shehu
Malamai SAN, had said the ministry was ready to prosecute the judges.
According to the CJN
all courts were empowered to adjudicate with utmost fairness and justice as
prescribed in the Constitution and the law.
Mohammed stated this
yesterday during the swearing-in of Amina Augie and Ejembi
Eko as justices of
the Supreme Court in Abuja.
The NJC announced
the suspension of the judges on Friday after initially declining to do so,
arguing that there were no evidence of wrongdoing against the judges.
The judges had
earlier been arrested by the DSS for allegedly receiving bribes.
“Certainly, the
decision of the NJC at its last meeting reflects our desire to preserve this
independence. Hence, we proclaimed to the world that any judicial officer that
is standing trial will cease to perform judicial functions.
“The council took
this stand following communications it received from the Attorney-General of
the Federation that he was embarking on the prosecution of the affected
judicial officers for the offences disclosed against them,” he said.
But, he said: “We
must not forget that we operate a constitutional democracy, which clearly
prescribes the powers accorded to each organ of the state.
“I therefore, wish
to state without fear of contradiction that the third arm of government will
remain resolute in its commitment and resolve to uphold its independence,” Mr.
Mohammed said.
The CJN urged the
new justices to continue to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
“You must remain
blind to personality and status, and remain the hope of all men, whether common
or uncommon.
“Hence, the
integrity and impartiality of our courts must not be in question or
compromised.
“I am confident that
with the institutions and initiatives that we have put in place, the Nigerian
Judiciary will evolve to meet the high standards demanded by our citizens,” the
CJN said.
Justice Eko was from
the Court of Appeal in Lagos. He also served in Benue State High Court between
1989 and 2007.
The affected
justices are Justices Sylvester Ngwuta
and Inyang Okoro Supreme Court, the
suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice
Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola
(Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike;
Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe
State High Court); Justice Bashir Sukola and Justice Ladan Manir from the
Kaduna State High Court.
Of the nine judges,
the NJC has recommended sanctions for Justice
Tsamiya; the erstwhile Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A.
Umezulike; and Justice Kabiru Auta.sunnewsonline
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