Metro Nigeria: Resolutions of NJC After Emergency Meeting Over Arrest of Judges by DSS

[LequteMan]

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has issued a formal statement over the recent arrest of judges by the DSS.

In a Press Statement issued after its last Emergency Meeting which was held on 11thOctober, 2016, the Council said it has decided among other matters, as follows:

(resolution numbers 7 to 9 are the substantial parts)

1. That the National Judicial Council is a creation, by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, with its powers specified in Paragraph 21 of Part One of the Third Schedule whereof.
2. That by virtue of Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution, Council fashioned out:
3. i) Judicial Discipline Regulations;
4. ii) Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record;

iii) Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and

1. iv) National Judicial Policy

to inter-alia, regulate its own procedure while exercising its Constitutional Powers.

5. That Section 158 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, has unequivocally provided for the independence of the National Judicial Council vis-à-vis directing or controlling it by any authority or person while exercising its powers.

6. Reiterated its absolute confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari Administration and its unwavering determination to uphold the Principles of Democracy, Separation of Powers and the Rule of Law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the United Nations Charter, which Nigeria is a Member.

7. That it shall continue to support the President Buhari Administration in its fight against corruption in all its ramifications in the Federation; and in cleansing the Judiciary of corrupt Judicial Officers.

8. However, expresses its grave concern on the recent invasion of the Residences and arrest of some serving and suspended Judicial Officers by the Department of State Services (“DSS”); and condemned the action in its entirety.

9. Viewed the action as a threat to the Independence of the Judiciary, which portends great danger to our democracy; and also considered the action as a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the Judiciary.