Don’t abuse judges, CJN cautions politicians

Ade Adesomoju
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, on
Wednesday, expressed concern about attack unleashed on
judges by politicians following the judgments delivered by some
election petitions tribunals in the country.
Justice Mohammed, in a statement by his media aide, Mr.
Ahuraka Isah, said politicians should report perceived
misconduct by judges to the National Judicial Council instead of
abusing them.The CJN, who doubles as the Chairman of the NJC, said
“proactive, decisive and just investigation and sanction” would
be taken once such complaints are submitted.
Calling on governors to be more sensitive to the plight of judges,
the CJN said it was not enough to attack judges over corruption
and bribery allegations and look away when “thugs enter courts
to beat judges, tear court processes and bomb the courts to
prevent the delivery of some judgments.”
The statement read in part, “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon
Justice Mahmud Mohammed has admonished politicians, most
especially heads of governments, to refrain from disparaging the
integrity and reputation of the judiciary.
“This is against the backdrop of reactions to the outcomes of
some governorship, National and State Assembly Election
Petitions Tribunal matters in the country, where some politically
exposed persons, state governors and even lawyers to some
litigants, averred that these verdicts were influenced by money
and political pressure.
“His lordship insists that the fight against corruption is a
collective responsibility especially amongst public officials,
particularly the state governors who are equally the chief
security officers of their respective states.
“He said it is not just enough to say the judiciary is corrupt or
that that judge was bribed to deliver a judgment; at the same
time look the other way while thugs enter courts to beat judges,
tear court processes and bomb the courts to prevent the delivery
of some judgments.
“His lordship noted that corruption is a common denominator
experienced by all sections of government and as such, each
head of government should look inward to devise strategies that
will clear the Augean stables of corruption.
“The Hon CJN urged state governors and public office holders to
be sincere in the fight against corruption, noting that action
speaks louder than words.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent
National Electoral Commission have asked the CJN to intervene
in ensuring prompt release of the certified true copies of
judgments of the election petitions tribunal to enable interested
parties to prosecute their appeal.
The PDP’s letter, signed by one of its counsel, Chief Godwin
Obla (SAN), was dated October 28, 2015.
The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting
in Abuja had in its judgment delivered on Saturday sacked
Governor Nyesom Wike on the grounds that his election was not
conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the
Electoral Act.
The state/national assembly election petitions tribunals had also
sacked 20 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly
elected on the platform of the PDP on the grounds of
irregularities said to have characterised their election.
Obla in his letter specifically sought the CJN’s intervention in the
release of the CTC of judgments Mr. Wali Belief Azeru vs.
Michael Okechukwu Chinda and Dr. Oto Gwung Dressman vs.
INEC and others.