Human rights lawyer commends CJN over sack of 2 judges

A human right lawyer, Mr. Odion Odia, has commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mrs. Aloma Muhktar for taking a bold step to discipline two judges.

It will be recalled that the National Judicial Council (NJC), under the chairmanship of the CJN, recommended the compulsory retirement of Justices Gladys Olotu and Ufot Inyang to President Goodluck Jonathan, over gross misconduct.

The NJC said that the decision to retire the two judges of the Federal High Court and the FCT High court, respectively, was taken at the council’s meeting held on Feb 26.

The judges were recommended to President Jonathan for compulsory retirement from office, pursuant to the outcome of the findings by the council.

The Abuja-based lawyer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that the retirement had shown that the CJN was determined to restore confidence in the Judiciary of the country.

“The decision of the NJC yesterday was a very good one and it will go a long a way in sending the right signal to other judges that are also very corrupt.

“We commend the courage of the CJN in doing this because those before her did not have the courage to do so,” he said.

Odia called on the NJC not to relent in its effort to rid the judiciary of bad eggs.

Odia said as the last hope of the common man, there was need to thoroughly purge the judiciary of judges who indulge in corrupt practices and misconduct.

The lawyer, however, called on NJC to expedite action on other petitions before it, stressing that the judges who have been reprimanded were only a few out many corrupt judges in the country.

He also said the council should pay more attention to petitions filed by clients and lawyers.

“NJC should listen more to the petitions of clients and lawyers because I can assure you that very many judges have petitions against them.

There are still many bad eggs in the judiciary as we speak and they should be weeded out to keep the integrity of the judiciary,” he said.

The NJC statement said three other judges were also issued with warning letters  on account of their declining productivity.

They are Justice Dalhatu Adamu, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, Justice A.A Adeleye of Ekiti High Court and Justice D.O Amaechina of Anambra High Court.

(NAN)