- We Shall Resist Clandestine Attempts to Silence Us
In what appears to be a daring and decisive step, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has declared that the Judiciary, will begin to rise against what he described as a “clandestine attempt” to silence them in the discharge of their lawful judicial functions.
The CJN was speaking against the recent siege on the residence of the second most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Peter-Odili, by alleged security operatives.
Justice Muhammad who noted that the Judiciary would begin to assert itself, to become the pride of the nation, stated that the Judiciary has had enough of the embarrassment of its Judicial officers and would no longer take it kindly in the event of any repeat of the ugly treatment to judges from security operatives.
He spoke in Abuja, during the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 72 lawyers as well as the commencement of the 2021/2022 legal year of the Supreme Court.
According to Muhammad, the silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness.
“On a very sad note, I must say, we were jolted with embarrassing news of the invasion of the official residence of one of our brother Justices, Hon Justice Mary Peter-Odili on Friday, October 29 by men suspected to be security operatives, acting on a search warrant.
“The said warrant was purportedly obtained from an Abuja Magistrate court under questionable circumstances.
“I must make it known to all and sundry that we have had enough dosage of such embarrassment and harassment of our Judicial officers across the country and we can no longer take any of such shenanigans.
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“The silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness”, he said.
“We shall begin to resist any clandestine attempt to silence or ridicule us to Oblivion.
“Nigeria, to the best of my knowledge is not a lawless society. We should begin to do things that will project is favourably and rightly too, to the international community.
“No law permits anyone to invade, subdue or overawe any Nigerian citizen in his or her residence With a flimsy, fraudulently obtained search warrant”, he added.
The CJN noted that by the nature of their work, they are conservative but not conquered species and should not be pushed further than this by any individual, institution or agency of the government.
He assured that very soon, those taking judiciary as a mere weakling will soon realize that it is from the calmest seas we often experience the fiercest storms.
He, therefore, stated that, “No one, irrespective of his or her status or position in the country, should test our will because the consequences of such unwarranted provocation will be too dire to bear.
“We are making efforts now to ensure that henceforth, every search or arrest warrant must be issued with the knowledge and approval of the Chief Judge of the respective state or Federal High Court as the case may be”.
Meanwhile, the CJN remarked that that the new SANs have, in all ramifications and by all standards, excelled in the practice of law and subsequently conferred with the rank.
He equally used the opportunity to lament the set back caused by the protracted strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), saying it came with excruciating impact on smooth dispensation of justice.
In his own remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, described the conferment of SANship as privileges.
Malami who praised the judiciary noted that the arm of government has continued to complement other arms of government despite of emerging challenges foisted on it by COVID 19, insecurity and dwindling economy, saying the judiciary has helped in the preservation of the country’s hard earned democracy.
“I want to state categorically that the LPPC have done a good job by putting forward deserving and qualifying lawyers, saying they must ensure that due process is followed in subsequent selection,” Malami added.
