PDP tells Buhari to emulate NJC and suspend ministers accused of graft

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to learn from the example of how to fight corruption from the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The NJC had on Thursday, yielded to pressures from Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other Nigerians and announced its decision to suspend justices facing corruption charges, after weeks of refusing to do so.

The PDP therefore challenged the President to suspend his ministers accused of corruption just as NJC asked the seven judges alleged to be involved in illegal practices to step aside for proper investigation.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, on Friday in Abuja said, “In order to allow for a fair and independent investigation, it is incumbent on President Muhammadu Buhari to ask these ministers to step aside pending the conclusion of investigation into allegations.

“The judiciary has set a very good example in its quest to fight corruption. It has proven that it is ready to reform itself and we commend the NJC for taking this bold step. Likewise, we call on the administration of the President to emulate the NJC.’’

The PDP added that anything contrary would confirm the notion held by Nigerians that the administration considered itself as “above the law’’.

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The justices who were asked to step aside are, Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court, Mohammed Tsamiya, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division and Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court.

Others include, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Justice I. A. Umezulike, former Chief Judge of Enugu state and Muazu Pindiga of Federal High Court, Gombe.

Two of the Justices, Ngwuta and Okoro had accused the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi and his Science and Technology counterpart, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, of approaching them and trying to bribe them to undermine the course of justice in appeals against the decisions of lower courts in election petitions in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti and Rivers.

According to them, their refusal to yield to their bidding was the reason they are being witch-hunted.
By Ebere Ndukwu …

 

 

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