Thursday, November 1, 2012

Bench fires back, attacks the Bar over rot in judiciary


…stop blaming judges, but govt –S’Court justice
For the first time in recent time, the bar and the bench yesterday openly disagreed on consistent haulage of criticisms against the judiciary by the former (the bar) over alleged increasing corruption in the bench without addressing fundamental challenges that could tempt serving judges to turn crooks on the bench.
The occasion, yesterday, was the valedictory court session organized by the Supreme Court in honour of one of its retiring justices, Justice Olufunlola Adekeye.
Both the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), had at the occasion, expressed worry over crisis of integrity bedevilling the judiciary in the country owing to corruption, saying the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Muhktar, would do well if corrupt judges were identified and disgraced out of the legal profession without any further delay.
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) spoke for the Body of SANs while Chief Okey Wali (SAN) who also promised to ensure that lawyers found influencing judicial officers in the discharge of their duties are de-robed, spoke for the NBA.
The retiring justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olufunlola Adekeye, who patiently listened to them however cautioned legal practitioners yesterday to henceforth rise in sympathy with the judiciary instead of openly criticising, condemning or destabilising it.
Justice Adekeye, who clocked the mandatory retirement age of 70 years on October 28 yesterday, said that whenever the reputation of the judiciary is challenged or its honour impugned, “it is the duty of the bar to defend, protect and exalt her”.
She clarified however that she must not be mistaken for saying that legal practitioners must give a pat on the back to undesirable elements on the bench.
“Any complaints against them can be forwarded to the Chief Justice of Nigeria or the National Judicial Council depending on the gravity of the complaint,” she said.
Justice Adekeye who forcefully canvassed the position yesterday listed some of the possible reasons why some judges cut corners, urging the Federal Government to look into those challenges.
“The government must address the conditions of service of both serving and retired justices of the Supreme Court. These justices who work day and night for the maintenance of law, peace and order in their fatherland must be encouraged to discharge their duties in a comfortable and conducive environment.
“Any justice who retires from the Supreme Court bench must have served this nation for not less than 40 years. Nowadays, he retires into penury as his take home is his meagre gratuity and one of his three official cars.
“He does not enjoy the monetisation of his official residence like his counterparts in the civil service. The judiciary has no alternative arrangement for accommodation for him after his retirement. He retires into the anxiety of accommodation and frustration.
“With the current market prices, his gratuity is not enough to purchase a befitting accommodation even within his community outside Abuja. In the face of gross materialism in the country, serving justices of the Supreme Court have continued to discharge their duties diligently while the retired justices endure their fate silently
“I believe strongly that we cannot keep quiet forever hence the authorities will never know where our shoes pinch us. The Constitution of this country forbids a retired judge of any cadre from engaging in legal practice after retirement. The government of this country is therefore invited to assist retired justices of the Supreme Court to surmount the problem of accommodation after retirement,” she added.

National Mirror

No comments: