Suspension of judges poised to preserve judicial independence – CJN

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed, says the recent suspension placed on the arrested judges being investigated with a possibility of having them prosecuted for various offences is to preserve the independence of the judiciary.

Mohammed said the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) at its last meeting was premised on communications it received from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice that he was embarking on prosecution of the affected judges.

The NJC had suspend the affected the justices after its meeting last week, from presiding over any of its sittings pending the conclusion of investigations into allegations against them, and possible arraignment before a competent court of jurisdiction.

The CJN pointed this out during the swearing in ceremony of Justices Amina Augie and Ejembi Eko, whose nominations were recently approved by President Buhari and confirmed by the Senate.

He however urged the newly appointed justices to be firm, honest and steadfast in the discharge of their duties, while striving to emulate the greats of the court, by enthroning the rule of law and respect for the courts.

“We must not forget that we operate a constitutional democracy, which clearly prescribes the powers accorded to each organ of the state. I therefore wish to state without fear of contradiction that the third arm of government will remain resolute in its commitment and resolve to uphold its independence and to adjudicate with utmost fairness and justice as prescribed in our constitution and the law.

“You must remain blind to personality and status and remain the hope of all men, whether common or uncommon. Hence, the integrity and impartiality of our courts must not be in question or compromised,” he said.