CJN bars politicians from his office, residence

Probably due to the dispute generated from the visit of the Rivers State Governor, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed, has banned politicians from visiting his office or residence.

 

CJN Mohammed Muktar

In a swift move to stop politicians, particularly governors and legislators with outstanding petitions against them at the election tribunal, the CNJ has since stopped all requests for courtesy calls.

His security detail from the Department of State Service (DSS) and police orderly will henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him.

This measure, according to findings, is put in place to deprive politicians from dragging the judiciary into politics.

The CJN and justices of the Supreme Court were reportedly affected by the problem the visit of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike generated

Although the governor who visited the CJN twice did not meet him at the office, but his visit generated some backlash for the judiciary.

According to a source who prefered not to be named, the CJN has warned his aides and household members not to allow any politicians have access to him.

The source said: “Except for his fellow judicial officers, relations and friends, the CJN has banned politicians from visiting his residence. He has limited all transactions or relationship to his office.

“The CJN has also made it a policy to invite a member of the security operatives or aides in his office to henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically-Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him.

“Once any lawyer is suspected to have come to solicit favour, security agents will now be called upon to witness such an audience.”

It was learnt that the CJN has decided to limit courtesy visits by public officials.

“The new guidelines take immediate effect. The position of the CJN remains the same that the Judiciary must be insulated from politics.

“As a matter of fact, what the public did not know is that the CJN deliberately avoided meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike to avoid dragging the Judiciary into the murky waters of politics.”

The CJN has also advised judges to stay away from politicians to be able to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

CJN bars politicians from his office, residence