Politicians blame judges, yet pervert justice – CJN

Worried by the wave of attacks against judges, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Wednesday, accused Nigerian politicians of being quick to blame and abuse judges while by their inaction pervert the process of justice, calling on them to report perceived misconducts of judges to the National Judicial Council instead of abusing them.

The CJN stated this in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Ahuraka Issah.

According to Justice Mohammed, “proactive decisive and just investigation and sanction” would be taken once such complaints are submitted, adding that it was not enough to attack judges over corruption and bribery allegations and look away when “thugs enter courts to beat judges, tear court processes and bomb the courts to prevent the delivery of some judgments.”

The statement reads: “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has admonished politicians, most especially Heads of Government, to refrain from disparaging the integrity and reputation of the Judiciary.

“This is against the backdrop of reactions to outcomes of some governorship, National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal matters in the country, where some politically exposed persons, state governors and even lawyers to some litigants averred that these verdicts were influenced by money and political pressure.

Read also: CJN cautions judges, magistrates on plea bargaining

“His lordship insists that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility especially amongst public officials, particularly the state governors who are equally the chief security officers of their respective states.

“He said it is not just enough to say the judiciary is corrupt or that a judge was bribed to deliver a judgment and at the same time look the other way while thugs enter courts to beat judges, tear court processes and bomb the courts to prevent the delivery of some judgments.

“His lordship noted that corruption is a common denominator experienced by all sections of government and as such, each head of government should look inward to devise strategies that will clear the Augean stables of corruption.

“The Hon CJN urged state governors and public office holders to be sincere in the fight against corruption, noting that action speaks louder than words.”
Timothy Enietan-Matthews

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