The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has commended the National Judicial Council, NJC for meting out disciplinary measures to some Judges that erred on the side of corruption. The NJC recently took a precise judgment on a number of judges who showed lack of professionalism and disregard for the constitution in carrying out their duties. The corrupt acts were carried out in spite of the mandate of the Judiciary as an organ of government expected to uphold fairness and justice in the system.
Mr. Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of CACOL, said “hearing the reports, we in CACOL are indeed impressed by the action of the NJC. The erring Judges, which include Chief Judge of Enugu State, A. I. Umezulike; a presiding Justice at the Court of Appeal in Kwara State, Mohammed Tsamiya; and Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court were sacked by the NJC for a number of undeniable allegations. The allegations include the abuse of office, bribery and extortion. We are impressed because we have always called on the NJC to sanitize its ranks given the existence of corrupt tendencies in that Arm of government.”
“We have demanded on several occasions that disciplinary actions should be taken against Judges and other officials of the Judiciary that are involved in corrupt practices in carrying out their duties.”
Adeniran added “it is a good sign that the NJC took precise actions against the Judges by relieving them of their duties. We however insist that the disciplinary process should not end with mere sacking of the corrupt Judges, they should be prosecuted and stiff punitive should be applied against those legally established to be culpable. This is what will deter others and also stamp the consciousness on all that ‘nobody is above the law’, not even Judges!
In concluding, the Executive Chairman of CACOL said “this case serves as an opportunity for the Judiciary as an organ of the Federation to show that it can be relied upon in the fight against corruption, and in execution of its constitutional functions. This is what will equip it with the confidence and authority to oversee the activities of the Executive and the Legislative arm of government.”
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