Chief Justice rejects call for suspension of judges

The Department of State Services (DSS) recently arrested some senior judicial officers over allegations of professional misconduct and corruption.

The NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), at the valedictory court session held in honour of Justice Sotonye Denton-West (Rtd.), called for the suspension of the judges.

He said “We therefore strongly recommend that, without prejudice to the innocence or otherwise of the judges involved in the ongoing investigations, they should recuse themselves from further judicial functions or they are required to proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully and completely established or until the conclusion of all judicial or disciplinary proceedings.”

Adding that “On the call by President of the Nigerian Bar, to suspend judicial officers whose residences were invaded and who were subsequently arrested and detained by the DSS, we believe that the call was unnecessary and hasty as the said judicial officers are still being investigated by the DSS.

“Furthermore, the DSS is yet to forward any complaint or any official communication regarding the seven judicial officers to the National Judicial Council.”

Also, the two judges, who were arrested by the DSS, Justice Okoro Inyang and Justice Sylvester Ngwuta alleged that the Minister of transport, Rotimi Amaechi offered them bribes to influence judgement on election cases.