The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, have openly disagreed over allegation of corrupt judicial officers in the country.
But in his speech, which was earlier the CJN, Justice Mohammed, apparently envisaging the NBA’s statement, described the allegation that judges were taking bribes as ’unfortunate unguarded comments’.
They both spoke at special session of the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2015-2016 legal year and the swearing-in of newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
Alegeh said: “It is indeed very worrisome that certain judicial officers still engage in rendering judgments for a fee.
“Instances abound where judicial officers have resorted to turning the law on its head and making pronouncements which are at variance with the provisions of the law.
“A few others have formed the bad habit of ignoring judicial precedents even when such authorities are brought to their attention by counsel.
“This trend is quite injurious and erodes the confidence reposed in the judiciary by society.”
He said the association would take the matters as prima facie evidence of corruption.
Earlier, the CJN in his remarks had said the allegation by prominent members of the Bar that some judges were corrupt was unfortunate.
He said: “I regard as unfortunate unguarded comments of some prominent members of the Bar that the judiciary is corrupt.
“Such comments coming from the members of the Bar means that they know the identity of the corrupt judges and as such, they should fish them out to be dealt with by the National Judicial Council (NJC).”
The CJN noted that the Bench was a product of the Bar and that unless they both work in synergy to ensure that only fit and proper persons remain in the Bar, it would be impossible to expect a different Bench.
The NBA president however, commended the current leader of the Bench under the CJN for bringing transparency to bear in the appointment of judicial officers.
He said the appointment of judges in the past was shrouded in secrecy.
Alegeh said: “The appointment of judicial officers, a process which was hitherto shrouded in secrecy, has been made more transparent under the present leadership of the Bench.”
Speaking on the ongoing legal battle between Senate PresidentBukola Saraki and the federal government, Alegeh said it was an unnecessary distraction.
“The current face-off between the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the federal high court is an unnecessary distraction at this time.
“The constitutional hierarchy of our courts is well settled and we urge all to respect it. Let wise counsel prevail,” he advised.
Justice Mohammed charged the newly sworn in Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) to display utmost integrity and humility in helping the court to dispense justice.
He said: “I advise you to display undoubted integrity and humility in the performance of your professional calling.
“I therefore call upon you to act commendably, remembering that your privilege is one of high regard and leadership.”
The CJN also advised the new members of the inner Bar to groom their juniors in chambers well, adding that the quality of lawyers and even judges depended on the calibre of young lawyers that we sow.
On the call for the abolition of the rank of SAN, the CJN equally said the conferment of the rank is a privilege conferred in accordance with section 5 (1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Act by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee and as such, a statutorily recognised privilege.
Responding on behalf of conferees, Edward Kunav Shiekaa (SAN) said the new members of the inner Bar valued their elevation.
He pledged not to toy with the privilege.
“It is our responsibility to provide good and quality leadership at the Bar particularly to the young lawyers,” he said.
NBA, CJN Disagree on Corrupt Judges
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for dropping your response, there are other interesting news on the page too