Senate condemns arrest of Judges
The Senate, on Tuesday, condemned what it described as the Gestapo-
like invasion of homes and arrest of serving judges including two
Supreme Court Justices by the Department of State Security (DSS) last
week.
The DSS had, in what it called a sting operation, had arrested Sylvester
Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, both of the Supreme Court, the suspended
Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice
Mohammed Tsamiya; Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court and
Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Other arrested were a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A.
Umezulike, and Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe
Division.
like invasion of homes and arrest of serving judges including two
Supreme Court Justices by the Department of State Security (DSS) last
week.
The DSS had, in what it called a sting operation, had arrested Sylvester
Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, both of the Supreme Court, the suspended
Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice
Mohammed Tsamiya; Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court and
Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Other arrested were a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A.
Umezulike, and Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe
Division.
But the Senate in its resolution during plenary following a
motion sponsored by Senator Joshua Lidani,(Gombe South) under order 42
of the Senate standing rules, as a matter of urgent national
importance condemned the act as draconian saying it is without
recourse to the constitutional mandate of the DSS and contravenes the
provisions of the National Security Act.
Although Senators failed to agree on summoning the Director of DSS
Lawal Daura as requested in one of the prayers in the motion, it
frowned at the development even as it warned all security agencies to
ensure that they work within the mandate of the law.
In his motion, Senator Lidani noted that the DSS abandoned its primary
responsibility as prescribed by the constitution and the National
Security Agencies Act, which is to ensure the internal security of the
country and not any other. Lidani argued that it is the duty of the
National Judicial Council (NJC) to make recommendations for
investigations and take disciplinary actions against members of the
judiciary to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related
offences Commission (ICPC) and the police to investigate such
allegations and prosecute. He said that the DSS embarrassed the
judicial officers by their action which undermines the independence of
the Judiciary and puts a question to Nigeria’s democracy.
“Much as the Senate in its entirety supports Mr. President in the
fight against corruption particularly in the judiciary, we must
resolve to condemn the act,” he stated, just as he also prayed the
senate to mandate the Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights Matters
to investigate the case and as well review laws on National Security.
He also urged the Senate to summon Daura to explain before it, reasons
behind his actions.
In his contribution to the debate, Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West)
stated that rather than acting on matters of internal security as
provided as its core mandate in the national security act and the
constitution, the DSS instead threatens internal security.
“I state that it is true that there is corruption in the judiciary and
this was established last week by the expulsion of three High Court
Judges who have been dishing out commercial rulings and needed to feel
the wrought of the law, I support the fight against corruption
irrespective of who is involved, but it is absurd and irresponsible of
the DSS to operate outside their mandate. There responsibility is
clearly defined in the NSA Act. ”
“How does bribing judges and the issue of corruption become threat to
internal security. The fact is that the DSS overstepped its bounds and
abused their mandate”, Melaye observed.
.
motion sponsored by Senator Joshua Lidani,(Gombe South) under order 42
of the Senate standing rules, as a matter of urgent national
importance condemned the act as draconian saying it is without
recourse to the constitutional mandate of the DSS and contravenes the
provisions of the National Security Act.
Although Senators failed to agree on summoning the Director of DSS
Lawal Daura as requested in one of the prayers in the motion, it
frowned at the development even as it warned all security agencies to
ensure that they work within the mandate of the law.
In his motion, Senator Lidani noted that the DSS abandoned its primary
responsibility as prescribed by the constitution and the National
Security Agencies Act, which is to ensure the internal security of the
country and not any other. Lidani argued that it is the duty of the
National Judicial Council (NJC) to make recommendations for
investigations and take disciplinary actions against members of the
judiciary to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related
offences Commission (ICPC) and the police to investigate such
allegations and prosecute. He said that the DSS embarrassed the
judicial officers by their action which undermines the independence of
the Judiciary and puts a question to Nigeria’s democracy.
“Much as the Senate in its entirety supports Mr. President in the
fight against corruption particularly in the judiciary, we must
resolve to condemn the act,” he stated, just as he also prayed the
senate to mandate the Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights Matters
to investigate the case and as well review laws on National Security.
He also urged the Senate to summon Daura to explain before it, reasons
behind his actions.
In his contribution to the debate, Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West)
stated that rather than acting on matters of internal security as
provided as its core mandate in the national security act and the
constitution, the DSS instead threatens internal security.
“I state that it is true that there is corruption in the judiciary and
this was established last week by the expulsion of three High Court
Judges who have been dishing out commercial rulings and needed to feel
the wrought of the law, I support the fight against corruption
irrespective of who is involved, but it is absurd and irresponsible of
the DSS to operate outside their mandate. There responsibility is
clearly defined in the NSA Act. ”
“How does bribing judges and the issue of corruption become threat to
internal security. The fact is that the DSS overstepped its bounds and
abused their mandate”, Melaye observed.
.
