Posted by Tony Amokeodo on
The Nigerian Bar Association on Wednesday described as 'embarrassing'' the allegation of corruption against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Uwais, and warned that nothing must be done to desecrate the Supreme Court.
The Nigerian Bar Association on Wednesday described as 'embarrassing'' the allegation of corruption against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Uwais, and warned that nothing must be done to desecrate the Supreme Court.
In an interview with our correspondent in Lagos, the NBA President, Mr. Bayo Ojo, picked holes in the manner in which a lawyer, Mr. Euphraim Duru, on Tuesday, accused Uwais and some Supreme Court justices of compromising their positions in handling the hearing of an application by Globe Motors Nigeria Limited against The Honda Place.
Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria and prominent NBA members - Chief Wole Olanipekun, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Mr. Tayo Oyetibo - also condemned Duru's action.
They said they could vouch for the integrity of the CJN but implored the police to investigate the allegation.
Duru had at the resumed hearing of the case, told the CJN that he could not preside over the matter because he (Uwais) was said to have received 13 Honda cars from Globe Motors to grant favourable judgment.
The CJN, however, denied the allegation, saying he was ready to face the anti-corruption agencies in the country over the issue.
Commenting on the allegation, Ojo said, 'The NBA is disturbed about this development. The Supreme Court is the last court of the land and nothing should be done to smear its image. We in the NBA have often said it, time without number, that lawyers should not desecrate the Supreme Court in particular and the judiciary in general.
'If there is any allegation against the officers of the court, lawyers should come out with the proof of the allegation while appropriate organs of the law enforcement agencies will be notified for necessary action.
'The NBA believes in the capacity of these organs to investigate any allegation no matter how highly sophisticated.
'Besides, the police are equipped to investigate any misconduct. But for lawyers to disparage the CJN in the open court and on the pages of newspapers is unheard of. The procedure is wrong."
When asked what the NBA would do, he replied, 'Once we receive a petition/complaint, the NBA Disciplinary Committee will take necessary action."
In separate interviews with our correspondent, Olanipekun, Fawehinmi, and Oyetibo, reminded legal practitioners that the Supreme Court, presided over by the CJN, had lived up to expectations.
They warned that nothing should be done to bring the apex court to disrepute, saying that mere reliance on a petition by Duru to smear the name of the CJN was wrong.
In his comment, Olanipekun said that the allegation against the CJN was unfortunate.
'The CJN is a fearless and incorruptible justice. He is above board to demand for cash and kind. There is politics in the land with the pull-him-down syndrome.
'The judiciary remains the hallmark of the renascent democratic dispensation and nothing should be done to bring down the judiciary either by commission or omission or else the whole house will be brought down."
Fawehinmi who said that the allegation was a serious matter, urged the Acting Inspector-General of Police to investigate it.
'We must know if the lawyer is telling lies or not.
'Even though the CJN has denied the allegation, the matter should be referred to the AIG, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, for immediate action. Nobody, I repeat, nobody can desecrate the apex court. The justices of the Supreme Court presided over by CJN have performed creditably."
Also commenting, Oyetibo said the stakeholders in the judiciary must address the matter.
Any attempt to tarnish the image of the apex court, he warned, would not be in the interest of anybody.
' We must be careful no matter the temptation," he advised.
The Punch, Thursday June 23, 2005